Gaining Ground in Ethiopia
Community and religious leaders lead the charge for healthier pregnancies
Every day, approximately 830 women die worldwide from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. In 2015, only 40 percent of all pregnant women in low-income countries had the recommended antenatal care visits. By supporting local health centers, USAID is increasing accessibility, and thereby decreasing maternal deaths due to pregnancy complications. USAID’s Newborns in Ethiopia Gaining Attention program transforms community and religious leaders into health heros.
Here are their stories.
Tegene Asmare
Tegene Asmare, 55, is a priest. He lives in Lebokemkem woreda, South Gonder zone of Amhara National region. He is also a member of the Yefage Kebele leadership, working to bring positive changes in his community by promoting antenatal and postnatal care for his community’s expectant mothers.
“As a member of Yefage Kebele leadership, I am a devout advocate of maternal and child health services at the nearby health post and in health centers,” Tegene says. “I often use my position as a religious leader at the church by teaching the congregation about the importance of getting health care services before, during and after birth. I want the mothers and the entire community to understand that getting modern maternal and child health services does not contradict our religious beliefs. So far…over a hundred mothers in our community have sought antenatal care check-ups at the health post.”
The post’s members mobilized the community to build 500 meters of road, improving access to Ketele Kebele’s main road for its 32 households, including pregnant women and mothers in Galo village.
Geremew Belita
Geremew Belita, 45, is a father of five and lives in Yefage Kebele, South Gonder zone of Amhara National region. He lost his first wife to childbirth nine years ago.
“I joined the Kebele leadership a year ago, in 2016. I joined it because it is painful to lose a mother while she is giving birth at home. The Kebele leadership is playing a great role in teaching the community about the importance of delivering at health centers,” said Geremew.
Abbey Kassew
Abbey Kassew, 52, a team leader, talks about healthy pregnancy with a group of women. The program also focuses on identifying pregnancies, registering births, organizing conferences for pregnant women and providing support to expectant mothers.
Wubit Tayachow
Midwife Wubit Tayachow discusses maternal and newborn health with a group of women. Usually about 30 women are involved in the group from Yifag Kebele, which is located in the Libokemkem Woreda, South Gonder of Amhara National region.
Balaynesh Siraw
Balaynesh Siraw, 25, a midwife nurse, examines Mantegbosh Wabet, 32, who is expecting her fourth child. Mantegbosh lives in Yifag Kebele located in Libokemkem woreda, South Gonder of Amhara National regional state.
Zeituna Betule
Zeituna Betule, 25, is a mother of two children whom she delivered at home assisted by her mother-in-law. Now, she is expecting her third child. This time, Zeituna sought care at the health facility. As her due date approached and labor pains came, the health extension workers advised her to travel to the health center for closer follow-up. She is pictured here at the maternal waiting room in Guba health center in Halaba Woreda of SNNP region.
Bereket Mekonnen
Bereket Mekonnen, 28, nurse midwife, holds a newborn baby at Guba Health Center in Halaba Woreda of SNNP region. The Guba Health Center serves 41,000 people, and in an average week, 68 mothers give birth there. It serves 11 kebeles with 11 corresponding satellite health posts. Health workers here were trained by USAID.
Misaye Asmamaw
Misaye Asmamaw, 30, holds 2-month-old Mulualem at her home in Semada Woreda, South Gonder, Amhara Regional State. Misaye is a health extension worker in Bisage Health Post of Semada Woreda. USAID trained Misaye on community based newborn care and provided her with necessary supplies and follow up mentorship. After her training, she was able to treat four newborns with very severe disease, which she could not have done without her training and supplies. She has now been a health extension worker for 11 years.
“I love my people and my people love me. I believe I have accomplished a lot for my community. Helping mothers and children is the most satisfying work,” said Misaye.
About the Author
Karen Kasmauski, a filmmaker, photographer, project manager and educator.