Health
15 Persons Die In Child Birth
- Details
- Published on Monday, 12 November 2012 07:04
- Written by Dweh Nimley
… In Grand Bassa County
Despite donor contributions in key areas within the Liberian economy, there remain several issues in the country’s health sector that needs to be addressed.
Speaking to The NEWS in the mountainous No-Way Village, District #2, Grand Bassa County, community dwellers said the absence of health facilities in the area has led to the death of more than 15 persons during child birth. According to a member of the Elder Council of No-Way Village, Patrick Geezay, pregnant women often die while on their way to the St. John River Clinic, a three hour distance from the village.
Geezay explained that the health condition in the area is appalling and called on the government to come to their aid.
He said the village and its surrounding areas have an estimated population of over 5,000 persons comprising mainly women and children.
He explained that some of the pregnant women with help from a traditional doctor give birth in a hammock because they are unable to walk long distances.
He narrated that most often during the delivery process, traditional doctors used old razor blades and alcohol to carry out the exercise due to the lack of modern medical instruments.
“The people who live in the village and its surroundings are also faced with poor sanitary conditions due to the lack of latrines and hand pumps in the area”, Geezay said.
He indicated that despite the village being located near Mount Philip, a place he said is rich in minerals, the livelihood of the people remains a major challenge.
Geezay alleged that government has done nothing to have the situation addressed.
He added that the death toll of pregnant women during child birth may rise if nothing is done to address the situation in the coming months.
