Hospitals of Last Resort

Sierra Leone has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the world. Hospitals lack basic equipment and medication, and factors such as poverty and lack of transportation make every pregnancy a gamble.

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This Story A Mother's Final Look at Life Article \| FREETOWN, Sierra Leone -- Fatmata Jalloh's body lay on a rusting metal gurney in a damp hospital ward, a scrap of paper with her name and "R.I.P." taped to her stomach. In the soft light of a single candle -- the power was out again in one of Africa's poorest cities -- Jalloh looked like a sleepi... Childbirth a Perilous Passage in Sierra Leone INTERACTIVE: A Mother's Risk Groups Working on Maternal Mortality Issues in Sierra Leone Hospitals of Last Resort This Story In Sierra Leone, Every Pregnancy Is a 'Chance of Dying' Article \| KABALA, Sierra Leone -- Saio Marah, nine months pregnant and two days into labor, lay on a hospital bed and groaned loudly with each contraction. INTERACTIVE: Mothers at Risk 'Oh My Darling, Goodbye' Hospitals of Last Resort Childbirth a Perilous Passage in Sierra Leone Field Notes: Hard Landing in Freetown: Seat Belts Not Mandatory A Mother's Final Look at Life Groups Working on Maternal Mortality Issues in Sierra Leone		Network News X Profile View More Activity TOOLBOX E-Mail This Reprints		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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