In Tigray, only 3 percent of health facilities have been fully operational since the conflict, with 93 percent of referral facilities lacking basic supplies necessary for pregnant women and newborns. Kahsa emphasizes the need to do more for mothers, as the maternal mortality rate in the region has increased fivefold since the onset of the conflict.
Before the clinic near Kahsa’s village was heavily damaged and only open for the last year, it was lacking supplies and did not even have access to water. Women delivering babies had to bring their own water, carrying 5-liter jerricans with them for treatment. The Regional Health Bureau’s study shows that most deaths are due to preventable causes like bleeding, with over 80 percent of mothers dying outside of health facilities. This is significantly higher than maternal mortality rates in Germany and Austria.
Women in the region face challenges accessing care during pregnancy and labor, as transportation is limited and often unaffordable. Even when they do reach a health facility, they may not receive the help they need. Kahsa and a women’s leadership group are working towards improving these conditions for mothers in Tigray by advocating for better healthcare infrastructure and working to increase access to essential supplies like water and medical equipment.
