Cambodian villagers are encouraged to give birth in the local health centre
Most Cambodians live in rural areas, where the health system is not strongSunday, 31 May 2009
By Jill McGivering
BBC News, Cambodia
In Cambodia , five women die every day because of inadequate health care during childbirth - making it a leading cause of death among women of child-bearing age.
The government is trying to improve health services but it is proving a long slow process.
Lvea village, in north-western Cambodia, is a collection of wooden stilt-houses along a dirt track, hectic with dogs, piglets and chickens.
Most of the women here have been told to have their babies in the local health centre.
So when one woman, Low't, went into labour recently with her ninth child, she made her way there too.
Sad but common story
Her neighbour, Ron, told me what happened:
"The delivery went well - but afterwards Low't started to feel faint. She was losing blood.
"The health centre didn't have the right medicine - so they went eight kilometres (5 miles) by trailer to a larger one.
"The midwife there couldn't stop the bleeding either, and sent them to the hospital in the nearest town.
"They were still travelling, heading downriver by boat, when Low't died."
It's a sad but common story.
Eighty per cent of Cambodia 's population live in rural areas and the public health system is weak.
In recent years, the government has made it a priority to strengthen its network of trained midwives.
They now attend more than half of all births - a significant increase.
Many local clinics function better, even if they're still poorly equipped.
But midwives are paid very little - and can be distracted by running private businesses too.
In Lvea village, the women were cautious about criticising the midwives who tried but failed to save Low't's life.
But one woman made this plea to her government: "Please supply good quality medicine to the health centre so that it can help us."
Progress is being made.
But for women like Low't, it's simply too little, too late.
The government is trying to improve health services but it is proving a long slow process.
Lvea village, in north-western Cambodia, is a collection of wooden stilt-houses along a dirt track, hectic with dogs, piglets and chickens.
Most of the women here have been told to have their babies in the local health centre.
So when one woman, Low't, went into labour recently with her ninth child, she made her way there too.
Sad but common story
Her neighbour, Ron, told me what happened:
"The delivery went well - but afterwards Low't started to feel faint. She was losing blood.
"The health centre didn't have the right medicine - so they went eight kilometres (5 miles) by trailer to a larger one.
"The midwife there couldn't stop the bleeding either, and sent them to the hospital in the nearest town.
"They were still travelling, heading downriver by boat, when Low't died."
It's a sad but common story.
Eighty per cent of Cambodia 's population live in rural areas and the public health system is weak.
In recent years, the government has made it a priority to strengthen its network of trained midwives.
They now attend more than half of all births - a significant increase.
Many local clinics function better, even if they're still poorly equipped.
But midwives are paid very little - and can be distracted by running private businesses too.
In Lvea village, the women were cautious about criticising the midwives who tried but failed to save Low't's life.
But one woman made this plea to her government: "Please supply good quality medicine to the health centre so that it can help us."
Progress is being made.
But for women like Low't, it's simply too little, too late.
8 comments:
Just take a looks at the Health Clinic in Cambodia! why Ah HunSex said the country is improved because of him..?
This Health Clinics looks worst than toilet in the jungle...
It's sad to see these poor khmer women faces, they looks so poor and unhealthy, there's no cleaning or running water for them at all...
country improved my ass!
I bet if these poor people don't pay the money, they will not getting treats from these cruel nurse or dumbdick doc in this Clinic...
Food production in Cambodia is uncontrolled especially food made of chemical substances. Which institution or authority who is responsible for controlling that food production selling in Cambodia. If chemical substance which is mixed into the food not follows the standard it can damage the health of those who eat that food.
Pinning down all the blame on others would be an irrational and draconian. Everyone needs to be part of the solution--not problems. If you're not part of the solution, STOP the blame game.
Pi Anh: PPU
Pi Anh: PPU, 6:29 PM yes we try to help but aquake do not let us help. vea klaj yeng yok kove i vea nos iy.
yes, khmer women, children, the elderly, the disabled , etc are the most vulnerable to health problems. cambodia must strengthen the health sector to help these vulnerable sector of the population. god bless cambodia.
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