Gaining Ground in Ethiopia

Community and religious leaders lead the charge for healthier pregnancies

At the health outpost, local men talk about why they are involved in promoting safe delivery for women. On the right is Priest, Tegene Asmare, 55, who is quite active in promoting women coming to the post for prenatal care and to deliver at the clinic. / Karen Kasmauski, MCSP

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.

At the Kebele, people gather to talk about problems and issues facing their communities. Many of the men are involved, encouraging women to do prenatal care and deliver at the clinic or hospital. One of them is Priest Tegene Asmare. / Karen Kasmauski, MCSP

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.

The man in the green cap is Geremew Belita, 45. He lost a wife in childbirth, their fourth child. The girl lived and is now 9 years old. The mother, Waga Tarekegnew, had given birth at home, was in labor for two days and had bleeding. She died of shock and blood loss at age 35. / Karen Kasmauski, MCSP

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, 52, a meeting team leader, talks about the healthy pregnant booklet to women in the community. / Karen Kasmauski, MCSP

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.

Pregnant women and women in the villages who act as health volunteers encourage these women to get prenatal care. Usually about 30 women are involved in the group from this Kebele. / Karen Kasmauski, MCSP

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.

Midwife Balaynesh Siraw, 25, a four-year midwife/nurse, works with Mantegbosh Wabet. She is 8 months along and her oldest is 17 years old. / Karen Kasmauski, MCSP

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.

The pregnant women’s mothers, in-laws or community volunteers make food for the women, feed them and generally watch over them. The food is made in a cooking shed out back. They also do a coffee ceremony for the moms once a day, where they roast the beans and make the coffee. One of the women staying at the center serves it. / Karen Kasmauski, MCSP

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 says he loves babies … and his face shows it. Karen Kasmauski, MCSP

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.

Two month-old Mulwalem Mekonen was born to Fasika Misganaw, 19. She had had repeated false labor, so they kept her at the health center in the maternity room for two weeks, until she gave birth. / Karen Kasmauski, MCSP

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.