Morocco – Midwives in Ouarzazate

Antenatal, postnatal and neonatal care

Thanks to the cooperation with the Crocus-Tifaout association, we can benefit from many years of experience in the projects in Morocco.

How it started

European midwives have been working for more than 60 years in the area of Ouarzazate. At the busiest times, as medical care wasn’t easily accessible in the South of Morocco, up to 5 midwives were working together in a 120 miles radius around the town. Therefore, many families have seen a few generations of babies being born under the care of these devoted women. Nowadays, one midwife is still working mainly in the city of Ouarzazate and also in a few neighbouring villages. Given the progress of medical care in the country over the last decades, she is now focusing on antenatal, postnatal and neonatal care, domains in which there are still some significant needs.

Main activities

We are partnering with two local association called. This partnership allows us to offer free consultations to about 100 women and babies every week. In some cases, as some of these women live in very precarious conditions, Crocus-Tifaout provides some funds so that emergency material help could be given out (food, school material, clothes, etc.). As the needs and opportunities to help are ever increasing, we hope that we will be able to extend this practical help in years to come.

Over the last year ...

...the midwives served vulnerable children and mothers in the region of Ouarzazate through the following:

  • more than 3000 prenatal consultations

  • postnatal visits for more than 200 babies and mothers

  • care for 2 premature babies (>900g) and 13 pairs of twins

  • multiple sessions to teach/inform about breastfeeding, labour, hygiene, etc., attended by more than 800 women.

  • advice and care for multiple other medical issues such as burns, ear infections, urinary infections, mumps, etc.

Christian Hartmann-Fässler

Member of the Board

"I believe that individualized development projects, which respond to the needs of individuals or small groups, serve those in need better in the long term and ultimately provide a better livelihood for all."

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