It has been reported that at least 200 expectant mothers have lost their lives in the Gambia between July 2020 to September 2021. The figures are frightening and troubling. Accordingly, this seemingly unending tragedy should be treated with due immediacy and urgency.
Elsewhere, this would have been treated as a national crisis with all organs of State mobilized to find urgent and optimal solutions. Unless our government recognizes this national calamity, our sisters, nieces, aunts and wife will continue to face the prospect of death at childbirth.
It's heart-wrenching to see expectant mothers and their babies perish due to negligence, shortage, a lack of blood or a sudden power outage in the middle of an operation.
The police’s decision to deny the Women's Lives Matter permit to hold a protest match is outrageous and confirms the perception that the authorities are still in a state of denial. The movement has all the right to hold the match to express their grievances and concerns as well as shine a light on such a severe issue.
Instead of presidential aspirants bickering over secondary issues, maternal mortality should be their focal point; at this moment because lives are at stake.
Editor's note:
Views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of GunjurOnline. Got an opinion article for publication? send it to us at GunjurNewsOnline@gmail.com
Comments