The Sirakoro village in Mali is situated 30km from the highway. There are barely any roads that lead to the village and it is lacking many basic facilities. There is limited water, no electricity and the people live in loam huts. The village survives of agriculture but they barely produce enough to make ends meet. There were no medical facilities in the neighbourhood, to get to the closest medical centre one would have to walk 15km. This was impossible for a sick child or a woman in labour.
In 2016, Mali foundation started building a medical centre in Sirakoro. This centre included a pharmacy, a fridge, solar panels, latrines, a water well and accommodation for a midwife. The midwife was educated by the Red Cross and is able to perform small operations.
The centre saves lives. Because of the fridge the village is able to receive and store vaccines such as polio and meningitis, which prevents many deaths. Due to the presence of a midwife, women can give birth in a hygienic and safe environment. They have access to intravenous drips and they can rest at the centre. The midwife is also able to provide medical care for various childhood diseases.
The centre was desperately needed and the Marthe van Rijswijck Foundation was delighted to support the project.
