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Maternal and child health care in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

In South Africa, maternal mortality has more than quadrupled over the past decade. Women in rural areas bear the brunt of these statistics due to lack of transport, and inaccessible facilities. It seems likely that South Africa may not achieve the Millennium Development Goals relating to a declining maternal and under 5 mortality rate.

The Busfare Babies project was started by midwife Karen Clark after seeing the situation of pregnant women in the region where deliveries often took place in overcrowded situations in informal settlement clinics. “The Busfare Babies Birth Centre offers safe birth for rural women. It is situated within the community, affordable and offers skilled and dignified care to the women of the area”.

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(Above) Nolusindiso Mva holds her two week old daughter Siya Ngqiyaza at home in Bodiam in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Siya was born at the Busfare Babies Birth Centre in March 2012.

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(Above) The interior waiting space at the Busfare Babies Birth Centre.

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(Above) Trainee midwife Xoliswa Zondeka consults a pregnant woman at the Busfare Babies Birth Centre.

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(Above) Trainee midwife Nomvula Muriel Gcaka, left, and midwife Karen Clark discuss palpitating a pregnant woman at the Busfare Babies Birth Centre.

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(Above) Nomvula Muriel Gcaka, using a Pinnard Horn, listens to the fetal heartbeat of a pregnant woman at the Busfare Babies Birth Centre.

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(Above) Busfare Babies Birth Centre’s HIV counselor Apele Yekani, midwife Karen Clark and trainee midwife Nomvula Muriel Gcaka sit outside the Busfare Babies Birth Centre.

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(Above) Karen Clark visits Nolusindiso Mva and her two week old daughter Siya Ngqiyaza at home. Nolusindiso’s 10 year old daughter Inathi Mva is also seen in the photo.

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(Above) Nolusindiso Mva picks up her two week old daughter Siya Ngqiyaza from her bed during a house call by midwife Karen Clark.

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(Above) Karen Clark says goodbye to Nolusindiso Mva after making a house call.

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(Above) Nomvula Muriel Gcaka sits on the left as Karen Clark drives through Bodiam.

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(Above) Nomvula Muriel Gcaka and Karen Clark arrive back at the Busfare Babies Birth Centre.

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(Above) A board of photos of the women who have given birth at the Busfare Babies Birth Centre.

 

Read more about the centre’s work at:

http://www.birthworks.co.za/bus-fare-babies
http://busfarebabies.blogspot.com/
http://africanwomanalliance.org/index.php?page=busfare-babies-eastern-cape-south-africa