January 25, 2011
Leadership for Women’s Health Joins PHI, Works to
Improve Women’s Health in Sub-Saharan Africa
Oakland, CA -- The Public Health Institute is pleased to announce that
Leadership for Women’s Health (LWH), which works with first ladies and other
women leaders in sub-Saharan Africa to advance women’s health, has recently
joined our organization.
LWH was created in 2010 to help implement in-country projects developed by
first ladies working with the First Ladies Initiative and Fellowship program, which
originated at the Rand Corporation in 2009.
The development of a Birth Waiting Home and Community Resource Center
(BWH/CRC) in Mattru Jong in the Southern District of Sierra Leone is LWH’s first
undertaking. The BWH/CRC project is a top priority of Sierra Leone’s first lady,
Mrs. Sia N. Koroma, in her work to help the country achieve the United Nations
Millennium Development Goals. It will support efforts to improve maternal health,
reduce child mortality, promote gender equality and combat HIV/AIDS. The
BWH/CRC will rely on the Mattru Jong Hospital for referrals, but the hospital is
currently in severe disrepair. In order to succeed, the project is seeking the
support of partners to renovate the hospital, provide health manpower, and
support training and direct service delivery.
LWH is also working with first ladies across Africa on developing sustainable
businesses, such as solar energy and clean cookstoves.
Leadership for Women’s Health is co-directed by Nicole Brezeski, Kathleen West
and Cora Neuman. West, who leads the BWH/CRC project, has worked in Sierra
Leone and has extensive background in high-risk maternal and child health,
public health and anthropology.
About the Public Health Institute
PHI, an independent nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California, is
dedicated to promoting health, well-being and quality of life for people throughout
California, across the nation and around the world. PHI's primary methods for
achieving these goals include: sharing evidence developed through quality
research and evaluation; providing training and technical assistance; and
promoting successful prevention strategies to policymakers, communities and
individuals.
555 12th Street, 10th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607-4046 • Phone: 510.285.5500 • Fax: 510.285.5501
For more information contact:
Jessica Tomlinson
Special Advisor, Planning and Communications
Public Health Institute
[email protected]
(510) 285-5533
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555 12th Street, 10th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607-4046 • Phone: 510.285.5500 • Fax: 510.285.5501