West Darfur minister reveals plan to reduce maternal mortality

The Minister of Health of West Darfur, Dr. Firdus Abdul Rahman, discussed on Radio Dabanga reproductive health problems affecting preganant women in rural areas, and revealed a plan to address the problems.The minister pointed out that there are some villages where there is no quick means of transport to the hospital for women who have difficulty giving birth. These cases result in maternal mortality, she said. She revealed a plan to reduce the maternal mortality rate by mandating the opening of three hospitals after the holidays in the regions Habila, Mukjar and Nertiti, in addition to training. The minister appealed to pregnant women to use a trained and qualified midwife rather than a “rope midwife” – so-called because these traditional midwives tie a rope to the ceiling for pregnant women to hold onto during labor.

She also called on pregnant women to disclose their condition during pregnancy in order to avoid risks that can threaten their lives. The minister was speaking from El Geneina in an interview aired on Friday.