Most rural part of Gambia are under develop.Many women, particularly in those remote areas of Gambia, have little choice but to give birth to their babies at home. With their mother or grandmother at their side, they are lucky if the birth goes smoothly and there are no complications. But if things go wrong, the nearest help can be hours away because of lack of enough or proper medical facilities. With no transport, this means their only option is to walk, often in the middle of labor, to get help.This delay increases the rate of mortality .
Delay in seeking care: women may have to get permission from the male head of the household, may not recognize the emergency, or may fear attending a health care facility.
Delay in arriving at a health care facility: transportation may be unavailable, unaffordable or simply take too long. Delay in seeking care: women may have to get permission from the male head of the household, may not recognize the emergency, or may fear attending a health care facility.
Delay in arriving at a health care facility: transportation may be unavailable, unaffordable or simply take too long.
Delay in receiving care once at the health care facility: health centers may lack staff, equipment or supplies; richer patients or males may be seen first; or care may be unaffordable.
Here are few question that are yet to be answer.Why do health centers lack staff and equipment? What role do health workers play in reducing maternal mortality?
The birth of a baby, which should be a joyful occasion, too often brings heartbreak and agony for African families. Pregnancy and childbirth complications are the leading cause of death and injury for women in developing countries. Yet women are key to the health and wealth of their communities. Without them, the family cannot hope to thrive.
In Africa,one doctor takes care of 2000 patients, in Seattle Washington 2000 patients will be under the care of 13 doctors. In Africa a staggering one in 22 women dies in pregnancy or childbirth. In the UK, it is just one in 8,000. While conditions such as high blood pressure, breech births and hemorrhaging are easily treated in the UK and US, African women are likely to die from them because they lack access to good quality health care or a trained midwife. Only 37% of births in the least developed countries are attended by a skilled health worker. It is still outrageous that one woman is dying every minute in pregnancy or childbirth.So what are the stories behind these facts? Should we put all the blames on the Government? Does our governments did enough or they don't have enough resources. Consider the economic and political factors that are causing these delays to persist. Is enough investment being made by private individuals in improving maternal health?
Think also of the social and cultural factors. Are women undervalued in these societies? How do gender attitudes contribute to the high levels of maternal mortality? What role do communities play in ensuring their mothers are cared for properly before, during and after childbirth?
Here is my take
No we can't and should not put all the blame of the African Government.Private citizens has to take some blame too.Lets look at the west How many private sector are own by private individual contributing to the development of their land.We have millions of them.What baffles me is when it comes to lending hands to people who needs help and support. Most Africans are reluctant to give. This action contradicts who we really are. This is the time for us to come together and show the world who we are by stepping up and making contribution and raise money to fight Ebola.
Most Africans tents to blame their government for the under development of the continent. Most Gambian blame the Government for lack of development.Yes most African president's are corrupt, stealing the country's economy.But on the other hand those people are from us.Most Africans are lazy and very reluctant to help others.