The situation is especially serious in El Alto, Bolivia’s second-largest city, where the rates are among the worst in the world. In addition, Bolivia has a high proportion of teenage pregnancies – the last health survey showed that 30 per cent of 19-year-old women were already mothers. However, despite increased investment in public health facilities in recent years, the availability and quality of care in this region remain poor.

Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on the Bolivian health system’s provision of maternal, neonatal and paediatric health services, making it even more difficult for women to access adequate medical care for themselves and their children.

In 2018, we launched a project to improve maternal care in El Alto, by supporting two maternity wards in public health facilities. Our teams increased access to safe deliveries and provided high-quality, culturally adapted services, especially for Aymara indigenous communities, who have specific beliefs around childbirth. In 2021, these activities were transferred to the local authorities, who recruited additional staff to ensure continuity of this 24-hour service for local communities.  

Between March and September, our teams supported the Bolivian health system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the city of Cochabamba and in five health facilities in Beni region. We implemented infection prevention and control measures, provided mental health services, health promotion, and training for frontline workers.