Maltina drinks all round!
Celebrating the safe arrival of baby Mariam, Chadian style
When Halima was near the end of her pregnancy, she knew something was wrong.
As well as being very sick with malaria, she had also been bleeding for several days, and had constant abdominal pain.
Halima is one of the Tubu Nomads in Chad, pictured in the photo at the top of this story. She had birthed her first five children at home – where could she turn for help?
Thankfully, her sister-in-law, Sumaya, knew about the Guinebor II Hospital. She told her brother to bring Halima, and called one of the midwives to ask them to prepare for Halima’s arrival.
Halima received an ultrasound examination at the hospital, and the doctor found that she had absolutely no fluid remaining in her uterus. Low fluid levels is a potential complication of malaria in pregnancy, and indicates poor fetal health.
Halima’s other symptoms may also have indicated a placental abruption, which is a life-threatening condition.
An emergency c-section was the only course of action to save the lives of Halima and her baby. She was rushed into the operating room.
Thanks to the care and skills of the hospital team, Halima soon had a healthy baby girl in her arms. She called her Mariam.
Halima and her whole family were so grateful for the care they received, that in typical Chadian fashion, they purchased a case of Maltina drinks, a non-alcoholic soft drink, for all of the midwives and operating room staff to show their gratitude!
If you would like to help the team at the Guinebor II Hospital to continue their incredible work, saving the lives of mothers like Halima and babies like Mariam, please give a gift today.
Your gifts help to subsidise the cost of treatment at the hospital, so that even the poorest mother can afford the help she needs.
£15 could provide a safe birth for a baby and mother.
Supporters like you are helping our incredible partners to save lives like Halima’s and Mariam’s every single day. Imagine, if you will, Halima handing you one of those Maltina drinks, and saying from her heart, ‘Thank you.’
