Margibi County – A non- for-profit organization, Pregnant Care Charities Counselling Center, based in Margibi County, has opened its doors to pregnant women.
The organization’s primary focus is to provide materials intended for both mothers and babies and to counsel pregnant women ranging from zero to nine months of their pregnancies at its facility.
According to the founder, Madam Monica Manley, Pregnant Care Charities Counselling Center was opened following difficulties she, too, experienced while giving birth.
Madam Manley, a former flight attendant turned philanthropist, said she lost two infants before they were born following ‘unprofessional behaviours from nurses, who humiliated her openly in public.’
“When I decided to have family, I got pregnant and was in pain. The moment we walked to ELWA Hospital, the woman listened to the baby’s heartbeat and right in front of everyone she said my baby has died.”
“I felt humiliated; it was traumatizing. I was embarrassed and shamed. She didn’t even call my Grandma, who had accompanied me to tell her, but just broke the news to me just like that,” Manley explained.
Madam Manley, whose motive is to have zero maternal mortality rate in Liberia, noted that if proper care were given to pregnant women, those children would not have been lost.
“We want to make sure that every woman in Liberia is able to have their babies safely. We want a zero maternal mortality rate. That is my goal for Liberia.
“If any pregnant woman comes to our facilities and we later receive information that a nurse there acted unprofessional towards that woman, that person will be dealt with. We want to make pregnant care a home,” she stated.
Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, who formally opened the facilities, welcomed the organization’s initiatives. Dr. Jallah urged pregnant women to utilize the services that will be provided.
The Health Minister appealed for the center to also cater to women after they have given birth, while at the same time, warned against teenage pregnancy.
“We don’t want you to get pregnant between 19 years and under. I hope that this center will not only take you from zero to nine months but to talk to the younger girls to not get pregnant too early. To those mothers, who are going to benefit from this center, make sure you come and take the treatment,” she urged.
Also making a brief remark, Margibi County Senator, Mr. Jim Tornolah, praised Madam Manley for hosting the facilities in the county.
Senator Tornolah further said that the program is healthy for pregnant women in the county, which has the second highest maternal mortality rate in the country.
Meanwhile, over 167 pregnant women from around Lower Margibi County, especially in Joe Blow Town community, attended the program.
The Center will help in providing care that will ensure pregnant women who registered with the program go through a normal pregnancy without complications by providing pre-natal care that is critical to keeping the baby and mother healthy.
This includes regular check-ups and ways to prevent potential health problems, such as pelvic pain and birthing options.
Pregnant Care Charities Counselling Center for Pregnant Women was officially open in partnership with Rescue Global Foundation, Paramount Young Women Initiative and Dr. Elizabeth E. Castle.
For her part, the Executive Coordinator of Paramount Young Women Initiative, Facia Harris said access to health care is a human rights issue and must be protected and attended to as a priority by the government.
“All Liberians including pregnant women must have access to timely, quality and affordable healthcare services,” she said.
“Though private citizens and philanthropists will contribute to the health sector, but government must ensure that its people are treated with dignity by the kind of health care that is provided.”
Statistics
Statistics show that Liberia’s death rate of new born babies is among the highest in the world, increasing from 997 deaths per 100,000 lives to 1,072 deaths per 100,000 lives.
Liberia ranks 7th globally and 3rd in Africa for maternal and new-born mortality.
The opening of the Center, exclusively dedicated to supporting pregnant women and their new born babies, will no doubt be a significant milestone in combating the ever-rising maternal mortality rate.