Ethiopian Women Seek Improved Access to Pre-Natal Care

A model maternity clinic

Delivery room at Fufa clinic

Mondays are busy at the Fufa village maternity clinic in south western Ethiopia. Mothers from near and far come to this clinic, the first of its kind within a 100 kilometer radius.

The hospital has a delivery room, basic equipment and trained professionals. Gebremariam Ayele is a clinical nurse who has been working in the Fufa area for decades. He describes how prenatal care was delivered in the past.

"We were limited in what we could do. [Before the clinic was built], we sent two health care workers to the villages on foot. They provided vaccinations and antenatal care to mothers," Gebremariam said.

He added most pregnant women do not get to proper clinics like the one at Fufa with the latest medical equipment and trained professionals.  More.......