The predominantly rural area of Androy has been beset by a collection of humanitarian crises which have affected essentially the most weak folks there, together with mothers-to-be, nonetheless the supply of straightforward, cheap maternity kits is encouraging extra girls to entry a variety of providers that may assist preserve them and their infants wholesome.
Forward of the International Day of the Midwife, celebrated yearly on 5 Could, Jeanne Bernadine Rasoanirina, a midwife in Behara, in Androy, spoke to UN Information’s Daniel Dickinson in regards to the challenges of reaching the poorest girls.
“It is a very poor rural space, and many ladies are too ashamed to return to the well being centre to have their infants delivered as a result of they don’t even have the cash for transport or to purchase clear material during which to wrap their new child. They don’t need different folks to know they’re poor.
![A baby is weighed at the primary health care centre in Behara. A baby is weighed at the primary health care centre in Behara.](https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Collections/Embargoed/02-02-2024-UNFPA-Mada-maternity-03.jpg/image770x420cropped.jpg)
UN Information/Daniel Dickinson
The mothers-to-be who come right here get all of the assist they should give delivery, and it’s freed from cost, because of the federal government in addition to UN companies, together with [the UN reproductive health agency] UNFPA.[The UN Children’s Fund] UNICEF and the World Meals Programme (WFP) present essential diet recommendation and assist, which enhances our work and is important to preserving moms and their kids wholesome.
Regardless that I’ve performed this job for 19 years, it nonetheless actually saddens me when girls arrive who don’t have the means to take care of themselves. They might be carrying soiled garments, which is an indication of poverty, but in addition a lack of awareness or respect for cleanliness.
Within the final week, I’ve delivered three infants and over the previous month, I attended over 330 antenatal and postnatal consultations, so there’s positively a requirement for providers.
![Jeanne Bernadine Rasoanirina sits at her desk with the recently delivered maternity kits. Jeanne Bernadine Rasoanirina sits at her desk with the recently delivered maternity kits.](https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/Collections/Embargoed/02-02-2024-UNFPA-Mada-maternity-01.jpg/image1170x530cropped.jpg)
UN Information/Daniel Dickinson
Jeanne Bernadine Rasoanirina sits at her desk with the lately delivered maternity kits.
Maternity kits
I feel extra girls might be inspired to return to the well being centre, as yesterday we had a supply of 240 maternity kits [supported by UNFPA] for the primary time in over a 12 months, which can final about three months.
The kits embody all the things a mom wants to offer delivery – gloves, gauze, umbilical wire clip and a syringe for the supply after which material wraps and garments during which to decorate the infant. They’ll take away the disgrace that moms really feel.
It’s irritating that we’ve not had a constant provide as this small merchandise could make an enormous distinction. It means extra girls will come to our well being centre, which is a safer place to offer delivery. In 2023, we had solely profitable births; there have been no deaths. We don’t know what number of girls gave delivery at house nor what number of kids and moms died because of this. There may be positively a danger of loss of life if a lady doesn’t come right here to ship her child.
Polygamy
There are nonetheless many cultural limitations to protected childbirth within the south of Madagascar. Kids are thought-about an indication of wealth, even when households don’t have the means to take care of them correctly, so it’s common to have many kids, generally as many as 10.
Polygamy can also be practiced, and a few males have as much as 5 wives and wish to have kids with all of them. We offer info right here and supply coaching about these points, however we should at all times be delicate in regards to the native tradition.”