The departments of San Marco, Huehuetenango and El Quiché, in Guatemala, have the highest maternal mortality rate for postpartum hemorrhage in the country: 5 out of 10 maternal deaths are from hemorrhage.

In the department of Alta Verapaz, where we are also implementing the project, the rate is high as well: 3 out of 10 maternal deaths are from postpartum hemorrhage.

The project will promote timely interventions to improve the quality and availability of health services during pregnancy. We are expecting it to help strengthen the referral and counter-referral mechanisms within the service network to refer women to health centers better suited for their needs, while also improving the availability of safe blood and essential medicines.

As part of the initiative, we are working to strengthen health personnel’s skills in postpartum hemorrhage management, to create an appropriate information and surveillance system, and to encourage the participation of the community, while including a focus on the social, legal, cultural, economic and preventative aspects that influence maternal mortality.