Cyclone Freddy: Pregnant Women in camps get antenatal service

More than one hundred pregnant women from cyclone evacuation camps in Blantyre have received antenatal and gynaecology care at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.

A group of clinicians from the obstetrics and gynaecology department, the Kamuzu College of Health Sciences, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust and Johns Hopkins Malawi organised the clinic this weekend.

The expectant mothers were taken from various camps to the hospital to ensure their safety after surviving the devastating Cyclone Freddy.

Commenting on the response to the clinic, lead for the initiative Dr. Pricilla Mvula has expressed her heartfelt gratitude to how the medical team came together.

“I have absolutely no words for today. The people really came through! We saw 105 pregnant women. We expect to see about 50 more tomorrow (Sunday). Thank you so much to all who donated and collaborated,” she tweeted at the end of the clinic on Saturday.

According to Mvula it transpired that 3 women needed urgent surgery, therefore they remained at the hospital for further attention.

The John Hopkins Research Project team is hopeful that the initiative has made a very significant impact.

“The health care and psychological support provided today to these women, along with essential newborn supplies will go a long way! Healthy moms = healthy babies,” the team tweeted.

According to Mvula it transpired that 3 women needed urgent surgery, therefor they remained at the hospital for further attention.

The women have also been given dignity kits which comprise a delivery basin and bucket, torch, baby receiving clothes and zitenje.

Most of the women have been displaced and are not in a position to continue such medical checks for their pregnancy in their respective locations which have suffered destruction after the cyclone.

Apart from the psychological assistance that the women have received, the initiative has also supported government’s safe motherhood and maternal health goals.