The image of a pregnant woman tied on a wooden stretcher on the way to the hospital in Tinta, a village in the South West region of Cameroon, has caused outrage and raised more questions on the country’s medical facilities.
relayed by many bloggers and online activists who have so far questioned the country’s health care system especially in rural areas.
« A pregnant woman in labour being transported to Tinta CBC Health Center for medical attention, »the CBC health services posted on their facebook page.
The image attracted tons of reactions with many questioning why the CBC could not transport the woman on a bike given the road looks motorable.
« The people were creative in an environment where modern stretchers are unavailable.Tying her on the locally made stretcher prevents her from falling off. And that position is most comfortable for her since sitting on a bike will be unpleasant, » a local Esty Mah said.
This thought was accompanied by the need to set up adequate transportation measures to accompany health care facilities.
« This picture demonstrates the importance of coupling health care with territorial infrastructure. One cannot go without the other, » a facebook commenter reacted.
Despite the hurdles involved in transporting the woman to the health centre, she was finally delivered safely of her baby.
« The woman gave birth successfully and we gave her the best possible care a woman in her state can receive, » a spokesperson for the CBC health services told Journal du Cameroun.
Access to adequate health care by pregnant women still remains a major concern in Cameroon. In March 2016, Alvine Monique Koumatekel lost her life and her unborn twins at the Laquintinie hospital in Douala after attempting to give birth to twins.
According to the World Health Organisation, the maternal death ratio in Cameroon is 1000 per 100.000 live births which is higher than the average of 900 per 100.000 live births in sub saharan Africa and the average of 400 per 100.000 live births globally
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