In the village of Kahsa, a clinic near her home was in a poor condition before the SELAM project. With limited supplies and no access to clean water, women delivering babies had to bring their own water for treatment. The conflict in Tigray has made matters worse, with only 3 percent of health facilities fully functional and 93 percent of referral facilities lacking basic supplies for pregnant women and newborns.
The maternal mortality rate in Tigray has increased fivefold since the conflict began, with most deaths occurring outside of health facilities. According to a study by the Regional Health Bureau, over 80 percent of maternal deaths are preventable. The region’s maternal mortality rate is now at an alarming 840 deaths per 100,000 births.
Kahsa notes the challenges faced by pregnant women in accessing care and transportation to health facilities, including the lack of ambulances and financial means for private transportation. Despite efforts by Kahsa and the women’s leadership group to address these issues, many women still struggle to receive necessary care during pregnancy and childbirth.
