Community and religious leaders lead the charge for healthier pregnancies. By supporting local health centers, USAID is increasing accessibility, and thereby decreasing maternal deaths due to pregnancy complications.
By Karen Kasmauski (Medium)
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 heroes.
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.
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