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In a haunting reminder of the challenges faced by mothers in underserved regions, 29-year-old Dorcas Azongo’s harrowing experience during childbirth highlights the urgent need for improved maternal healthcare in Ghana. Her story, shared by Basile Ouedraogo, a communications specialist with WaterAid, sheds light on the inadequacies of maternity services that too often force women into dangerous situations during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.
A Dangerous Journey
Dorcas’s ordeal began in Beo-Tankoo, a district in Bongo, one of Ghana’s most impoverished areas. With no maternity ward or trained midwife available in her local health centre, she faced an agonising choice: deliver her twins at home without assistance or embark on a perilous journey to find adequate medical care.
The trek was fraught with danger. In labour and battling the elements, Dorcas had to cross a flooded river at night using a canoe. Upon reaching a clinic, she was met with disappointment as the staff were unable to manage a twin delivery. In excruciating pain and with the clock ticking, she made the arduous return across the river, only to be met by her husband on a borrowed motorbike. Together, they crossed another river before finally arriving at Bongo Hospital, where she delivered her twins in the yard, before even reaching a bed.
The thought of enduring such agony while navigating muddy, uneven paths in the dark is heart-wrenching. Sadly, Dorcas’s experience is not an anomaly; it reflects a broader issue of inadequate maternal healthcare in regions where clean water and sanitation facilities are scarce.
The Ongoing Struggle
Now, nearly a year later, Dorcas’s challenges have not ended. In a poignant exchange, she expressed her concerns for her twins’ health, revealing that they are frequently unwell. Her voice trembled as she shared, “The twins are unwell almost all the time. If I bring them for treatment, it’s not even a whole month before they have a temperature again. So they’re not in the best of health. I don’t know why.”
This heartbreaking reality resonates deeply, particularly for those who have witnessed similar struggles in their own families. Dorcas embodies the resilience of mothers who navigate immense hardships, and her emotional journey serves as a reminder of the persistent challenges that women face during childbirth without proper support.
A Call for Action
Dorcas’s story is emblematic of the dire situation in Bongo, where access to water, sanitation, and hygiene is alarmingly limited. Many mothers and midwives find themselves in life-threatening circumstances as they strive to provide safe care. This lack of resources often results in traumatic experiences during childbirth, stripping women of their dignity and safety.
In light of her ordeal, Dorcas has decided against having more children under similar conditions. Currently, she is raising her four children while working as a teacher and continuing her studies, demonstrating remarkable strength and determination. She has bravely shared her story, hoping it will spark change for herself and others enduring similar challenges.
A Movement for Change
The ‘Time to Deliver’ campaign launched by WaterAid aims to address these pressing issues ahead of the upcoming UN water conference. The initiative seeks to ensure that every healthcare facility is equipped with essential water, sanitation, and hygiene services, thereby safeguarding the health of mothers and their babies.
Dorcas’s experience is a call to action—one that implores us to listen and advocate for better maternal healthcare. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that no mother should risk her life to bring new life into the world.
Why it Matters
Dorcas Azongo’s story is not merely one of personal struggle; it is a reflection of a global crisis in maternal healthcare that demands urgent attention. Every mother deserves to give birth in a safe environment, supported by adequate medical facilities and resources. By raising awareness of these issues and advocating for change, we can work towards a future where childbirth is a safe and dignified experience for all women, regardless of their circumstances.
