Adumporka Abotiyure, 23, lives in a remote part of the Upper East Region of Ghana. When she went into labour with her third child, a traditional birth attendant took her 4km to the nearest health centre, so she could receive free health care from qualified professionals. “It was safer for me than at home,” she says.
Adumporka brought blankets, soap and a bottle of disinfectant, but spent the first few hours on the floor due to a lack of beds. When the time came to give birth, she was moved to a bed, and was tended to by a trained midwife and nurse. The birth went smoothly, and Adumporka gave birth to a beautiful boy.
A couple of hours later, mother and baby had to leave the health centre as there was no space to rest. Her husband took his new family home on the back of his motorbike, with his boy wrapped tightly in a shawl.
Adumporka’s story shows how free health care is protecting new mums and their babies – but it also shows that much more investment is needed. It’s not right to spend part of your labour on the floor, nor to be forced to leave hospital after only a few hours. And many women in remote areas are not even getting the basic health care they desperately need.
This is why we must keep investing in international aid. The UK government needs to fulfil its commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on overseas aid. This promise is a real chance for more women to receive life-saving health care during pregnancy.Join our call here!
Photos of Adumporka’s story can be seen in our pop up exhibition, currently in the window of 15 Cheap St. Why not walk by on your way through Bath!
Exhibition is now in the window of the Oxfam shop at 12 Argyle St!