Life for African Mothers
1132. Angela Gorman
Angela Gorman, from Cardiff, is a retired neonatal nurse and the founder of ‘Life for African Mothers’, which tackles maternal mortality in Sub Saharan Africa.
After watching a documentary on maternal death rates in Africa, Angela learned that over 400 women die every day in Sub Saharan Africa due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth and 99% of those deaths are preventable. Inspired to act, she founded ‘Life for African Mothers’ and for the last 12 years Angela’s organisation has trained over 400 midwives to ensure safe pregnancies and births for women. ‘Life for African Mothers’ has also sent over a million donated doses of medication to prevent post-partum haemorrhage across 6 countries, treating over 400,000 women. ‘Life for African Mothers’ now provides essential care and medication to expectant mothers in Africa including in Chad, Cameroon, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Congo.
In a personal letter to Angela, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“Through ‘Life for African Mothers’ you are providing invaluable education to midwives across Africa, saving the lives of women and children. Your dedication to improving maternal health is remarkable and I wish you the very best with your continued work.”
Angela said:
“I feel very privileged to receive this award and to be the voice of mothers as we fight for their right to receive the care that their sisters in developed countries enjoy.”