August 2, 2021
News
In Zambia, Caritas Czech Republic focused on improving health care for mothers and children. And local volunteers also helped us with that.
The role of volunteers is crucial
Ms. Mbingila is one of the volunteers working in the SMAG - Safe Motherhood Action Group. In 2003, these volunteer groups were established by the Zambian Ministry of Health as part of a national program to protect maternal health. "The job of SMAG is to encourage mothers to come to the health care facility, where they can give a safer birth and have the possibility of vaccinating their children," Ms. Mbingila describes her mission.
The main task of SMAG groups is to inform expectant mothers and the whole community about the possibilities of modern health care, including vaccinations. "Many problems used to arise because people did not know the benefits of giving birth in a health center, but now almost everyone knows about them," says Ms. Mbingila. Healthcare professionals in Zambia also face great influence from local traditional healers and various superstitions related to pregnancy.
Volunteers are usually members of local communities, whether they are traditional midwives, health workers or ordinary men and women. Caritas Czech Republic has already helped train 124 volunteers who have become part of the SMAG groups.
Long distances are an obstacle
The main problem facing pregnant women in Zambia is hard-to-access healthcare. The infrastructure is insufficient and getting to the hospital in time for childbirth is sometimes almost impossible. "The place where I live is far from the road. Because it is really difficult to get to us, the people from Caritas Czech Republic help us a lot. Transport is also difficult for them, yet they always help us volunteers and our people,” says Ms. Mbingila.
To solve the long journey to the maternity hospital, there are so called Mother’s shelters. Women can take refuge in these houses around the date of birth to wait near the hospital. This is a huge opportunity for women, especially those from a far away places. On the other hand, to spend some time in the shelter means that the women have to usually leave behind their family, often with small children that are taken care of by the community in the meantime.
Changes for the better
Thanks to the work of SMAG volunteer groups and non-profit organizations, the situation is slowly improving. As part of the program carried out by Caritas Czech Republic in cooperation with the Czech Development Agency, maternal mortality was reduced by 12% and child mortality by 25%. Ms. Mbingila also sees the difference: “I decided to do this job because it helps my own people. I see improvements all around me, mothers die much less during pregnancy or even after childbirth."
Caritas Czech Republic also helped with material deficiencies in the medical facilities. Anyway, volunteers from local communities, such as Ms Mbingila, are a key element on the road to success. That is why we are pleased with her words: “I would like to thank the people of Caritas Czech Republic for what they do for us. They inspire us to make things better. ”
The video is with Czech subtitles:
Photo and video credit: Michal Gálik
