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In a heartrending account that underscores the dire conditions faced by expectant mothers in Ghana, 29-year-old Dorcas Azongo recently shared her traumatic experience of giving birth to twins. Her story highlights the critical need for improved maternal healthcare and sanitation facilities, particularly in impoverished regions where the risk of maternal mortality remains alarmingly high.
A Perilous Journey for Safe Delivery
Dorcas Azongo’s odyssey to deliver her twins was fraught with danger and desperation. Living in Beo-Tankoo, one of Ghana’s most underprivileged districts, she found herself without access to a maternity ward, qualified midwife, or even basic sanitation facilities at her local health centre. Faced with the stark choice of giving birth at home unaided or risking her life on a hazardous journey, Dorcas chose the latter.
In the throes of labour, she embarked on a treacherous trek across flooded rivers by canoe. When she finally reached a clinic, she was turned away, as the staff were unable to manage a twin delivery. With no time to lose, she retraced her steps through the same river, enduring excruciating pain, until her husband met her on a borrowed motorbike. Together, they crossed yet another river before finally arriving at Bongo Hospital, where Dorcas delivered her twins in the hospital yard, just outside the doors of care.
The ordeal was harrowing. “I can only imagine the journey: enduring crippling contractions along muddy, uneven paths during the rainy season, fearing she might give birth by the roadside in the dark,” reflected Basile Ouedraogo, a communications specialist for WaterAid who documented her story.
The Reality of Maternal Health in Ghana
Dorcas’s experience is not an isolated incident; it reflects a broader issue affecting countless women in Ghana and beyond. Every two seconds, a woman gives birth without access to clean water, adequate sanitation, or proper hygiene facilities. The consequences of such negligence can be devastating.
Nearly a year after the twins’ birth, Dorcas expressed her ongoing concern for their health. “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,” she lamented, her voice trembling as tears filled her eyes. The emotional toll of her experience is palpable, revealing the deep-seated fears and anxieties that accompany motherhood under such dire circumstances.
The Call for Change
In light of her experiences, Dorcas has made a powerful decision; she does not wish to have more children under the same precarious conditions. Now a mother of four, she balances her responsibilities as a teacher while continuing her studies. Her resilience and strength are commendable, but they also serve as a stark reminder of the systemic issues that must be addressed to ensure safe childbirth for all women.
Dorcas shared her story with the hope of inspiring change, recognising that her experience could help shed light on the urgent need for improved maternal healthcare. Her narrative is part of WaterAid’s ‘Time to Deliver’ campaign, which advocates for every healthcare facility to be equipped with essential water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
Why it Matters
Dorcas Azongo’s story is a poignant illustration of the challenges faced by mothers in Ghana and similar regions worldwide. It highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms in maternal healthcare that prioritise safety, dignity, and access to essential services. By amplifying her voice, we can raise awareness and advocate for change, ensuring that no woman should have to risk her life in the pursuit of bringing new life into the world. The fight for safe childbirth is not merely a local issue; it is a global imperative that demands our attention and action.
