**
In a poignant testament to the struggles faced by mothers in underserved regions, 29-year-old Dorcas Azongo’s harrowing experience during childbirth has shed light on the urgent need for improved maternal healthcare. Her story, which unfolded in Beo-Tankoo, a district in Ghana’s Bongo region, reveals the stark realities many women endure in their quest for safe deliveries, often risking their lives in the process.
A Journey Through Adversity
Dorcas’s ordeal began when she went into labour with twins, and her local health centre lacked the necessary facilities to support her. With no midwife, maternity ward, or even basic sanitation, she was left with a heart-wrenching decision: face the dangers of childbirth at home or embark on a treacherous journey to seek medical assistance.
Her path was fraught with peril. Navigating through a flooded river in a canoe while enduring intense contractions, Dorcas arrived at a clinic only to be turned away because staff were unable to handle a twin delivery. In excruciating pain, she retraced her steps, where her husband met her on a borrowed motorbike. Together, they crossed another river before reaching Bongo Hospital, where Dorcas ultimately delivered her babies in the yard, all before she could even settle into a bed.
Imagine the physical and emotional toll of such a journey: battling pain and fear while traversing muddy paths in the dark, with the very real possibility of giving birth alone by the roadside.
The Reality of Maternal Health in Ghana
Dorcas’s story is not an isolated incident. Every two seconds, a woman around the globe gives birth without access to clean water, proper sanitation, and hygienic conditions. The situation in Bongo is particularly dire, where inadequate healthcare facilities contribute to some of the lowest rates of water, sanitation, and hygiene access in Ghana. For mothers like Dorcas, the lack of support means risking not only their own lives but also the lives of their infants.
Reflecting on the health of her twins nearly a year after their birth, Dorcas 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.” Her voice trembled with emotion as she conveyed the ongoing struggles of raising her children in these conditions, a burden that no parent should have to bear.
Advocating for Change
Dorcas has emerged from her ordeal as a powerful advocate for change. Today, she balances her responsibilities as a mother of four while pursuing her teaching career and studies. Her experience illustrates not just her resilience but also the urgent need for systemic improvements in maternal healthcare.
Her story highlights the broader plight faced by mothers across Ghana and similar regions, where inadequate healthcare services force women to choose between their safety and that of their children. It is this sentiment that prompted Dorcas to express her reluctance to have more children under such challenging conditions.
To address these pressing issues, WaterAid has launched the “Time to Deliver” campaign, aiming to rally support for improved access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in healthcare facilities. This campaign is particularly timely as it coincides with the upcoming UN water conference, where advocates hope to push for global commitments to safeguard maternal health.
Why it Matters
Dorcas Azongo’s journey epitomises the struggles faced by countless mothers globally, shining a light on a critical gap in maternal healthcare that demands immediate attention. Her willingness to share her experience serves as a clarion call for action, urging policymakers and healthcare providers to ensure that no mother has to endure such hardships in bringing new life into the world. As we reflect on her story, we must recognise the importance of equitable healthcare access for all, empowering women everywhere to give birth safely, with dignity and the care they rightly deserve.
