"It plays a tremendous role in saving women’s lives, because a lot of maternal death, especially in Africa are due to PPH - so postpartum hemorrhage - and to have a drug that can be administered by lesser skilled staff and be kept without a cold chain, so without a refrigerator, it is definitely one step forward in having that accessible in a delivery facilities for example in Africa and that will help," said Knudsen.

An Amnesty International member unfolds a banner as she prepares for the campaign against maternal deaths in Freetown, Sierra Leone (File Photo)

In Senegal specifically, UNICEF estimates that for every 100,000 live births 410 mothers will die. In developed nations this number is closer to nine. Dr. Daff is confident the rate of maternal deaths in Senegal has gone down, but he does not yet have exact numbers.

Dr. Daff says his job is to fight against maternal mortality and child deaths in Senegal, and he will use whatever means he can. A woman who is hemorrhaging post-delivery and is more than 15 kilometers from the nearest hospital or health clinic might die before she gets help. He says that if they have the chance to test a drug that may help these women, then why not.

Awaiting approval

The World Health Organization has not formally approved misoprostol for treating postpartum hemorrhaging. Dr. Daff says that might make things easier but does not really matter.