Motherhood is the greatest thing in the world. Once, Sophia Loren, an Italian film actress, and singer said “When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.”
On the other hand, globally, particularly in developing countries, a large number of women lose their lives while becoming a mother due to poor due to poor access to maternal health.
The Federal Ministry of Health has developed a series of programs to promote maternal health, particularly to prevent mothers from dying while giving birth.
Recently, members of the media and officials from the Ministry have paid a field visit to the Azernet Berbere Woreda in the Silte Zone of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State to witness firsthand the health success stories, particularly in reducing maternal mortality.
The Ministry of Health has set four agendas that have to do with successful health care intervention, sustainable health care services, effective information flow, and overall health sector transformation at woreda level to achieve health care transformation in rural areas. The Ministry has picked Western Azerenet Berbere Woreda/district as a model in successfully implementing health transformation agendas at woreda level.
The maternal health project has brought about encouraging results in the woreda. According to Abdul kef Afrano, Woreda Women and Children Office Coordinator said in addition to the Pregnancy Maternity Service, the woreda is providing a well-organized transport service to pregnant women when they go clinics for checkups. Health centers with maternity and sanitation facilities have given special attention to provide health care services during pregnancy and at the time of delivery. Local communities have also been collaborating with health extension workers to improve the situation of maternal health in the woreda.
Sahrela Abdulahi, State Minister of Health said, “The woreda has given us a lesson how it is possible to go about maternal health issues by taking local contexts and into consideration and ensuring the active participation of the local community.”
Particularly, the voluntary works of the youth have paramount importance by delivering transportation services to pregnant women using twowheeler and three-wheeler. The local community was able to make a great deal of effort by building a self-propelled ambulance and building maid homes.
Successful campaigns that have managed to raise the awareness of local communities regarding the negative impact of childbirth at home. And currently, all mothers are delivering at health stations. Hayat Ali is nine months pregnant. This writer approached her at Muggo Health Centre in women’s lodging house or maternity ward built in a traditional yet attractive way to make the women feel at home.
She said it has been three months since she started living in the ward waiting for her delivery as their home is far away from the health center. By staying at the ward, she can easily access pregnancy supervision. “I feel comfortable and safe year surrounded by midwifery and doctors,” she said. “In the past, many would prefer to give birth at home.
But now everything has changed. Furthermore, Abdula Alfetamohammed Head at Muggo Health Centre said all mothers have come to know the benefits of giving birth at health institutions. The active participation of the local communities, particularly the youth by delivering transportation services is the key to the success, he said.
The woreda has achieved remarkable success stories in improving standardized primary health care by introducing model households, community health insurance, and an effective communications system. In addition to the locals, the health development army has also played a key role by providing comprehensive support and supervision at each level.
The Ethiopian Herald April 18/2019
BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
