Brighton charity has helped 20,000 mothers in developing countries (From The Argus)

Brighton charity has helped 20,000 mothers in developing countries

4:00pm Saturday 15th September 2012 in News

More than 20,000 women have now been helped by a charity set up in Brighton to provide maternity services in the developing world.

The milestone figure coincides with the 10th anniversary of Maternity Worldwide, which was set up in a doctor's flat in the city.

It is now hosting an anniversary concert at London's Southwark Cathedral to celebrate its achievements.

Brighton-based doctor Adrian Brown set up the charity as he was frustrated by the lack of maternal care available for women in developing countries.

Every day 800 women die during childbirth or pregnancy related complications and 99% of deaths occur in developing countries.
 

Dr Brown formed the charity in his flat and its first project was to run the delivery unit in an Ethiopian hospital.
 

Maternity Worldwide provided the equipment and arranged for volunteer midwives and obstetricians from the UK to spend up to a year at a time in Ethiopia training local midwives and doctors to provide the skilled care required to ensure women can give birth safely.
 

From there, work spread into communities where women would have to walk up to 200 miles to the nearest health centre. Maternity Worldwide educates women about when to seek medical help and also enable them to set up their own small businesses so they can afford the transport to get to the nearest health centre to give birth safely.

Maternity Worldwide has worked in 11 countries and has saved more than 20,000 women from dying during childbirth, giving at least 20,000 children the chance to grow up with their mother.
 

Dr Brown, together with Brighton-based volunteer trustee Mary Russell will host the anniversary concert on September 20, from 7pm. It will feature Ealing Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Gibbons with organist Stephen Disley and pianist Arta Arnicane. Tickets start at £15. To book, visit www.maternityworldwide.org .