Most mothers’ deaths can be prevented with emergency care;  that’s why making sure that mothers can reach expert help speedily is so important. Amie Wilson, Ammalife’s PhD researcher, investigated the situation in some of the poorest parts of the world where many mothers are dying.

With no ambulances, how do women reach expert help? Sometimes, the problem is that there is no money for motor transport, or no roads. Sometimes the only transport is by donkey or bicycle. Often, women are dependent on others to make the decision.

Our research, recently published in the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, identified 8 crucial factors that need to considered before effective life-saving changes can happen.

Potential solutions include motorcycle ambulances, collaboration with taxi services (see Ammalife’s project in Pakistan), community education, subsidies and vehicle maintenance but the critical factor is matching the solution to the circumstances.