When Linly Chidawati from Malawi discovered she was expecting a child with her husband, she felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. Nineteen years old at the time, she was mainly anxious about what her pregnancy journey would involve, from the early stages all the way to the delivery. 

Most of Linly’s worries were alleviated when she was introduced to her local Village Safe Motherhood Committee (VSMC). With PWS&D’s support, Mulanje Mission Hospital is actively working to decrease child and maternal mortality and morbidity rates. One of the ways is through establishing local Village Safe Motherhood Committees. The VSMCs are dedicated to ensuring that pregnant women and their partners are well-informed about the support services available to them before, during, and after childbirth, emphasizing the critical importance of such assistance.

Throughout her pregnancy, Linly gratefully received valuable guidance on the significance of proper nutrition and delivering her baby at the hospital. When the time came for her to give birth, Linly shared about her positive experience, noting that she received exceptional care from skilled midwives. They advised and guided her and diligently looked after her during prenatal consultations, antenatal care, and the postnatal period until she was discharged.

Today, Linly is a happy mother with a healthy baby, thanks to the support she received throughout her pregnancy from the VSMC committee members in her community and the excellent care provided at the health facility where she delivered her baby. Linly has promised to also raise awareness with her friends on the importance of having VSMCs within the community and the importance of hospital delivery in reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.