Midwives at a hospital in Harper, Maryland County, have made a significant difference in the reduction of maternity deaths, with MAF’s reliable air link playing an important role.
More mothers and babies are surviving childbirth in southeast Liberia, thanks to the improvements made by a team of doctors and midwives supported by MAF flights.
Dr Sarah Morris, Deputy Director of Clinical Services and Maternal Health Lead for Partners in Health Liberia, has been at the forefront of transforming maternal care at JJ Dossen Hospital in Harper.
“We've seen a reduction in maternal death, and it has been a progressive reduction compared to other counties in Liberia,” she said.
“When I arrived in Maryland County, the maternal mortality rate was unacceptably high, we had 15 maternal deaths in 2019. Through strategic interventions, we reduced this number to just five between 2020 and 2023.
We've seen a reduction in maternal death, and it has been a progressive reduction compared to other counties in Liberia.
“And this is also one way that we've seen it, leading to a reduction in maternal death, so over the years we've seen the numbers of adolescent pregnancy Reducing in Maryland County and majority of them are in school.”
Dr Sarah is proud of the efforts of the team in Maryland County, and she says regular MAF flights from Liberia’s capital Monrovia to Harper are significant in keeping the hospital equipped.
“MAF actually help in the reduction of the death, because without those supplies, we women would still be dying. Imagine sending these supplies on the road, especially rainy season,” she said.
“The roads are pretty bad. It will take almost a week for the supplies to reach us here, but in 1.5 hours when you put the supplies on MAF, which we have been doing, the maternal health commodities reach us timely.”
She is motivated by the case of a teenager in 2017, who risked becoming one of many pregnant women who lost their lives when travelling long distances for medical care.
“A 16-year-old mother who got into labour from her village, which was quite far from here. So, she started bleeding. the placenta got detached, what we call abruptio placentae,” Dr Sarah said.
“That story of that lady led to a number of funding to come to make sure that we have a generator put in place to run this facility for 24 hours so that people can access, safe surgeries. But eventually when we work together with the team on the ground, we manage to save their lives.”
A 16-year-old mother who got into labour from her village, which was quite far from here. So, she started bleeding
JJ Dossen hospital staff member Rachel Blackmon has over 10 years of working in the midwifery field.
She once delivered five babies in a row during a particularly tough shift.
“I can remember I had an experience where I'm working in the night. I did five deliveries in a row. So, one is delivered and then the other one say something coming, you got to leave and go see what is coming. It was terrible, but at least all of them was all right,” said Rachel.
“When you deliver a child and if the child is healthy and come out good, you feel happy that you did a job well done.”
When you deliver a child and if the child is healthy and come out good, you feel happy that you did a job well done.
Another experienced midwife Siede Hodge shares the most excitement moment with pregnant woman during delivery.
“At times when women are in labour they cry a lot but, the moment the baby arrives they start laughing and we, as a midwife, we can be happy and we can also be laughing and all the pain is gone and they are happy,” she added
“On an average level per month, we can deliver 118 pregnant women.”
Dr Sarah values the work of MAF in prioritising healthcare and transport for patients from isolated communities.
“I'll remember MAF for its resilience, is accommodative nature, its prioritizing and making sure that people who need healthcare the most receive healthcare and have access to healthcare and also transporting our patients, in case they need other specialists,” she said.
“So that's what I truly remember MAF for, making sure that they are always available to support the patient needs and make sure patients have access care.”
On an average level per month, we can deliver 118 pregnant women.