Our featured projects

Supporting mothers, children, and those affected by HIV/AIDS

Much of our work in South Africa focuses on addressing the needs of people affected by HIV/AIDS. We’re also working toward improving survival and health for mothers and children during childbirth and beyond. Our active projects include:

Reducing maternal and child mortality in South Africa through technology introduction and systems change

The project introduces and monitors the impact of a combination of new technologies and techniques for the active management of the third stage of labor. PATH works in two major areas. We promote and standardize management of the third stage of labor, including administration of oxytocin as the first-line uterogenic drug to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. We also promote the availability, accessibility, and use of cost-effective, simple, and lifesaving neonatal resuscitation devices to ensure effective newborn resuscitation and prevent breathing problems in newborns.

Thogomelo

In collaboration with the South African Department of Social Development, the US Agency for International Development’s AIDSTAR program is supporting PATH and our partners in efforts to care for and protect children left vulnerable by the AIDS pandemic. Thogomelo, which means “caring” or “taking care” in the Venda language, also aims to provide much-needed support to community caregivers.

Khusela

Working together as the Khusela project, PATH and our partners have joined with the Eastern Cape Department of Health to improve efforts in preventing the transmission of HIV from mothers to their children, called prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). In Eastern Cape, we are working to integrate PMTCT into antenatal, maternal, and pediatric care. We are also working toward strengthening the health system, increasing the capacity of facilities and providers to provide high-quality care, and amplifying community demand for services.