Angela Oghenekevwe* had been in a very difficult labour through the night. Sr Francisca A. Ahumibe met her on the side of the road, seated on the back of a motorcycle. Her companion, Mr. Jude Ovie*, was pushing it slowly by hand. She looked tired and in pain. When she stopped to ask if they were all right, he explained that they had gone to a hospital early in the morning, but after waiting many hours, they were referred elsewhere. Without the means to pay for further care, they were on their way home to try to find help.
Angela was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government area of Delta State, one of the facilities where the Religious Sisters of Charity take action for women’s health, the medical team quickly diagnosed foetal distress. She underwent an emergency Caesarean section and delivered a healthy baby boy. Her care was supported by the Sisters there who ensured her hospital bill was paid and she made a good recovery. What could have been a tragic outcome for the mother and her newborn was avoided.
Angela’s story is one of many. Across rural parts of Nigeria and the wider Global South, women continue to face barriers in accessing vital maternal healthcare. Delays in treatment, travelling long distances, limited resources and financial hardship all are barriers to the safe and healthy delivery of newborns and recovery of mothers. These challenges can turn what should be a joyful time into one filled with risk and uncertainty.
This week, as we mark the International Day of Action for Women’s Health, we are reminded of the importance of ensuring that no woman journeys through pregnancy or childbirth without care and support.
At St. Mary’s Hospital, a facility owned by the Catholic Diocese of Warri, the Religious Sisters of Charity are working hard to provide vital support. The hospital, serves as a vital secondary healthcare facility for the surrounding communities. Among its core services are antenatal and childcare programs. These services aim to ensure healthy pregnancies, safe deliveries, and the optimal development of children, ultimately contributing to a healthier society.
Under the direction of Sr. Jacinta Ugochi antenatal services take place every Thursday where up to 80 women attend sessions, coming from both nearby and distant communities. These sessions include vital health checks, nutritional counselling, laboratory tests, health talks, and preparation for birth and postnatal care.
The hospital also provides care for pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS, offering a compassionate, non-judgmental environment where they are treated with dignity and respect. Additionally, it serves as a clinical posting site for nursing and midwifery students. Currently, over 36 students from St. Francis Catholic College of Nursing Sciences are training at the hospital to build on their skills before returning to St. Francis Catholic College of Nursing Sciences in Okpara Inland.
Also, in Our Lady of the Waters Clinic Bomadi in Delta state the Religious Sisters of Charity continue this same mission, where they have served for over 15 years under the guidance of Sr. Rachael Jikavworu, who manages the facility. From a hospital setting with additional mobile medical outreach facilities across riverine areas, they offer services such as antenatal and postnatal care, immunisations, family planning, and treatment of common illnesses. Their presence has brought essential healthcare closer to communities that might otherwise go without.
While the challenges are many due to under-resourced national health systems combined with cultural barriers that impact on attitudes to healthcare access, our Sisters continue to serve with perseverance. Their focus remains on creating a supportive path for each woman and child they encounter, no matter how difficult the road.
Angela’s story reminds us of how quickly circumstances can shift and how a simple act of care can change the outcome. This week, and always, we give thanks for the strength of women like her, and for the opportunity to walk alongside them in hope and compassion.
*names changed as the to respect the request for anonymity
