Storytelling Blog

1 in every 18 mothers die while giving birth. Women in Sierra Leone do not have direct access to healthcare due to barriers financially and geographically. Often women cannot access treatment for common illnesses that occur during pregnancy, like UTIs and preeclampsia. If not treated in time these illnesses become fatal. Ukweli Test Strips is a low-cost three-parameter urinalysis test strip to screen women for UTIs and preeclampsia across the healthcare system. Ukweli is specific to preeclampsia and UTIs, affordable costing $0.20 per patient and accessible for the women in Sierra Leone with an option to receive testing in the comfort of their homes by trusted community health workers. Ukweli Certified Workers become educated on the causes and symptoms of UTIs and preeclampsia to where they can use this knowledge, along with the Ukweli Test Strip to screen a woman and, if positive, give a referral to a hospital for treatment. 56 health units have been Ukweli certified leading to over 3,000 women getting screened for UTIs and preeclampsia. This is the start of a journey to lower the Sierra Leonean maternal mortality rate. With the help of our stakeholders, Ukweli will continue expanding their mission to lower the maternal mortality rate, not just in Sierra Leone but in other low-income countries.