IN THE FIELD

A New Maternity Ward in Abobo

Africa, Ivory Coast
Training in Africa For mothers and children
Abobo Est, in Ivory Coast, is a rapidly growing urban area. As the beating heart of the autonomous district of Abidjan, this neighbourhood is home to around 750,000 people. At the Abobo hospital alone, 8,000 deliveries were recorded in 2024. This already high number is expected to increase, making it essential to further strengthen health services.
Within the framework of the Mattei Plan, and thanks to the financial support from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, we have launched an intervention focused on improving the health and well-being of mothers and children. We are working to strengthen maternity and neonatal care units and to introduce essential services such as a blood bank and an oxygen supply centre. Specifically, the new obstetrics, gynaecology, and neonatology hub will cover 2,250 square metres, compared to the current 770. Hospital capacity will significantly increase, with obstetric beds rising from 28 to 56 and neonatal beds from 12 to 32.  

In Abobo, we work to make healthcare more accessible by strengthening the local health system.

  • For mothers and children
    This intervention helps respond to the needs of mothers and newborns in a densely populated area, improving access to essential maternal and neonatal health services.
  • Training in Africa
    Working side by side with local staff allows us to grow together and make “with Africa” a reality.
Despite the support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, needs remain significant and continue to grow. Our commitment is to strengthen services so that more mothers and children can receive the care and assistance they need.