In a world increasingly defined by crisis—be it armed conflict, climate disaster or chronic underfunding of healthcare systems—certain groups bear the heaviest burden. Pregnant women, newborn babies, and children are among the most vulnerable. When access to basic health services is disrupted or non-existent, the consequences can be devastating. Maternal and Childhealth Advocacy International (MCAI) exists to meet this challenge head-on.

For nearly three decades, MCAI has worked in regions facing extreme poverty, armed conflict and violence, partnering with local healthcare providers to save lives and build more resilient systems. Founded in 1995 by Professor David Southall following his humanitarian work in Bosnia and Herzegovina, MCAI has delivered both emergency response and long-term development support across more than a dozen countries.

More Than Emergency Aid

What sets MCAI apart is its three way focus: rapid response in times of acute crisis, sustainable health system development and monitoring for and advocating for the prevention of abuse of women and children . The charity started by evacuating critically ill children from Bosnia to the UK for lifesaving care. But once the immediate danger subsided, MCAI stayed to help rebuild and equip hospitals, train healthcare professionals, and establish long-term paediatric and neonatal services.

From Kosovo to Cameroon, and from Liberia to Ukraine, MCAI adapts to evolving needs while staying grounded in its mission: to ensure every woman, child, and baby has the right to safe, effective, and free healthcare, regardless of geography or circumstance.

Built on Strong Values

MCAI is guided by six core principles:

• Equality – Every life holds equal worth.
• Health as a Human Right – Quality healthcare must be universally accessible.
• Sustainability – Change must be embedded within communities and systems.
• Credibility – Work must be evidence-based or innovatively designed where data is lacking.
• Partnership – Collaboration is key to long-lasting results.
• Participation – Empowering local communities is essential for meaningful change.

These values aren’t just words—they’re woven into every initiative MCAI leads, from training hospital staff in Liberia to strengthening neonatal care in Afghanistan.

A Legacy of Leadership

Much of MCAI’s development and vision can be attributed to the leadership of Dr Rhona MacDonald. A medical doctor with expertise in paediatrics, public health, and primary care, Rhona worked in several low- and middle-income countries including Bangladesh and Romania. She brought a deep editorial background—having worked with The Lancet, BMJ, PLOS Medicine, and WHO publications—as well as field experience through Médecins Sans Frontières and Oxfam.

Rhona became a Trustee of MCAI in 2010, later serving as both Honorary Executive Director and Chair of Trustees. Alongside her husband, Professor David Southall, she was instrumental in shaping the charity’s ethos and global reach. Her passing in April 2024 left an irreplaceable gap, but her legacy lives on in MCAI’s continued work—work that David carries forward with renewed urgency and commitment.

Advocating for Systemic Change

MCAI’s impact extends well beyond frontline care. The organisation is an active advocate at both governmental and UN levels. Recent efforts include a proposal sent to Foreign Affairs Secretaries outlining a medical emergency immigration scheme for civilians in Gaza—an initiative rooted in MCAI’s long-standing commitment to human rights and humanitarian response.

MCAI also champions systemic reform through resources developed in collaboration with the Advanced Life Support Group (ALSG), including educational films, training manuals, and toolkits. All are freely available to promote global knowledge-sharing and improve emergency care where it’s needed most.

Education That Saves Lives

That commitment to training has also inspired a recent online programme: Ultrasound Training for Obstetric Outreach. Developed with support from Professor Southall and fellow MCAI trustee Dr Brigid Hayden, and led by obstetric sonographer Yvette Lovis, the course equips midwives and outreach workers—especially in under-resourced areas or areas of armed conflict such as Gaza and Tigray—with the skills to assess pregnancy complications using affordable, portable ultrasound tools.

This course doesn’t just transfer skills—it channels all profits directly back into MCAI, reinforcing the charity’s frontline work in places like Ukraine, Liberia, and Gaza and soon in Tigray.

Why MCAI Matters More Than Ever

In an era of unprecedented humanitarian need, MCAI’s work has never been more critical. Whether responding to conflict, supporting communities through disease outbreaks, or helping to rebuild health systems after disasters, the organisation meets crisis with compassion and resilience.

Its approach—fusing emergency response with sustainable development and high-impact education—represents a model for effective, ethical global health intervention.

If you’d like to support MCAI—whether through donation, collaboration, or by enrolling in the Ultrasound Training for Obstetric Outreach course—know that your contribution directly fuels lifesaving work in the world’s hardest-hit regions.