Closing the Maternal Mortality Gap Through Improved Sexual Reproductive Health Services
A CRISIS RESPONSE SUCCESS STORY
In conflict settings, women of reproductive age often face the most significant challenges, primarily due to restricted access to healthcare, which increases their risk of complications.
On September 16, 2024, Yakura delivered at home, assisted by a traditional birth attendant who, despite her efforts, was unable to remove the placenta or stop the excessive bleeding. For over 12 agonizing hours, Yakura’s condition worsened as her strength faded, her skin grew pale, and the bleeding persisted. Desperate and out of options, her family contacted the INTERSOS Health team. Responding immediately, INTERSOS dispatched an ambulance and a health team, providing her with mobile oxygen support as they rushed her to the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) facility in Bama, managed by INTERSOS.
At the MCH, the skilled INTERSOS midwives acted quickly, performing crucial interventions to stabilize her: manually removing the placenta, administering fluids, and providing vital medications. But despite their best efforts, Yakura’s hemoglobin levels dropped to a dangerously low 3.3g/dl, making a blood transfusion the only hope for survival.
With time running out and no blood donors available, the INTERSOS team swiftly referred Yakura to the FHI 360 health facility at Tandari Ward Bama, a consortium partner in the USAID-funded NECORE project. As part of its health interventions, FHI 360 provides blood transfusion services for life-saving emergencies to the people in Bama.
When Yakura arrived at the FHI 360-supported health facility, the health teams from INTERSOS and FHI 360 quickly mobilized donors, securing two units of life-saving blood. After the transfusion, Yakura gradually began to recover.
To ensure her safe and dignified recovery, the INTERSOS health team reached out to the WASH team, who provided hygiene kits, helping safeguard her recovery and ensuring she could heal in a clean environment.
Upon her discharge, her voice trembled with gratitude as she said, “I was on the verge of losing hope, but your team restored my life.” Since the commencement of the NE-CORE project, FHI 360 and INTERSOS have provided health services to over 100,000 persons in Bama, Mobbar, and Ngala LGAs of Borno State.