The 12th of September, 2022, was a memorable day for well-wishers of and donors to the Free Maternal Healthcare (FMH) project. The joyous mood of the day was because of the official announcement that the project had safely delivered more than 120 needy pregnant women in the project.
The FMH project is a humanitarian effort run by the Seventh-day Adventist Hospital, Ile-Ife and was initiated to give completely free care for 2,000 needy pregnant women over 12 months in Ile-Ife and environs. This was officially started on the 23rd of May, 2022, in order to reduce the incidence of maternal mortality, or mothers dying during pregnancy or childbirth, and has been running for 16 weeks nonstop.
It has so far screened more than 940 women, and has resulted in more than 550 needy pregnant women having free access to antenatal care, medications, tests, admissions, etc. Of these women, more than 120 women have benefited from the equally free deliveries, with some having free vaginal deliveries and some having free caeserean sections done.
The FMH project is funded by the efforts of well-meaning donors who feel passionate about pregnant women and have been trying to keep the laudable project alive so that more needy women can benefit. The support of both leadership and staff of the hospital have also been highlighted by the beneficiaries. One of the many beneficiaries, Mrs Bisola Ojo, shared her thoughts, saying,
“This program is really important and helpful to us as pregnant women. We want to use this opportunity to thank the Seventh-day Adventist Hospital. We are really grateful. This is because several pregnant women have given birth with the help of unprofessional people and they do not receive adequate care but we really appreciate the Seventh-day Adventist Hospital for this program, it has been really helpful. God will continually uphold this hospital and everyone of us in Jesus name.”
On interviewing Dr. Ayotunde Omole, a physician and Human Resource Manager of the hospital, he had this to say: “We at the hospital are truly excited about the project. Mothers matter and this project is saving them. Studies have suggested that the maternal mortality rate in Ile-Ife is between 2% to 5%, though we know that this is a gross underestimation.
But what this means is that of the 120 women we have delivered so far, about 6 of them would have died giving birth if not for the project giving them free access to quality care. Six mothers, wives and sisters would have lost their lives, not to talk of those may have sustained serious injuries at quack centres. Thanks to God and the free access to quality care they have received through the Free Maternal Healthcare project, all the women are alive and well. Yes, we are yet to raise even 2% of the $760,000 we will need to ensure on the comprehensive and sustainable care of these 2,000 needy women.
We trust the Lord that He will raise up help for them. Which is why we continue regardless and have now delivered more than 6% of the total number already. We believe that donors will see the good work being done and come to the aid of these women.”
The Management of the hospital actively solicits for support for these needy pregnant women. Indeed, the more funding is available, the more the number of needy women that will be saved from needless death during childbirth.
For donations and enquiries, please contact Dr. Oludayo Olosunde (Chief Medical Director) or Dr. Jesutola Adewumi (Project Manager) via these emails: admin@sdahospitalife.org or support@sdahospitalife.org.
The list of current beneficiaries of the project is made available for verification on https://fmh.sdahospitalife.org, along with other details of the project.
Mrs Ife Omotoso
