Enlightened on Maternal and Child Health

Improve Global Health Fund
April 28, 2016

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

Sarudzai, 33, and her husband Thomas, 39, are a couple in rural Zimabawe who are expecting their third child. Although their first two babies were born at home, Sarudzai is giving birth at the Chundu clinic this time. Sarudzai is staying at the Chundu women’s waiting shelter adjacent to the health clinic, which is more than two hours from Sarudzai’s home on foot.

“In our community, we were encouraged by the Crow Heads to come to the clinic to give birth,” Sarudzai explains.

Crow Heads are community leaders who have been trained as health advocates by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF). They educate their communities about the importance of visiting the clinic for prenatal care, infant delivery, and mother and child health. This means that expectant mothers are tested and treated for HIV. Their children are also tested and treated for HIV and are vaccinated.

“Because I’m now enlightened, I think it’s best [for women] to go to the clinic [for delivery] because of the complications that can happen at home,” says Thomas. Both Thomas and Sarudzai were tested for HIV upon arrival at the clinic. Both tested negative.

“It’s best for me to accompany my wife so we can be tested together and know our status together,” says Thomas.

Sarudzai has been staying at the women’s waiting shelter for the past week and expects to go into labor soon. Thomas visits her frequently, delivering food and firewood for his wife to cook with.

Sarudzai waits to give birth at the Chundu women’s waiting shelter next to the Chundu clinic. The shelter allows women who live far distances to give birth in a health facility.

Photo Credit: Heather Mason

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