10 March 2017
To mark International Women’s Day this week, we are celebrating the outstanding contribution that MAP’s midwives are making to the lives of women and children in Lebanon’s Palestinian refugee camps.
MAP’s team of midwives provide the only home-visiting midwifery service to refugees in the camps. This service is essential as women’s and children’s health is a major cause for concern for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, with rates of maternal and child mortality and morbidity remaining high.
The work of MAP’s community midwives has helped to increase breast-feeding rates, lower anaemia, and reduce high-risk pregnancies among Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
6,103 antenatal visits 6,742 postnatal visits
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH PROGRAMME
Nayla* escaped the war in Syria and sought safety in Lebanon largest refugee camp, Ein el Helweh. She, her husband, two children, and mother-in-law took shelter in a barely furnished single-room in the camp.
Ein el Helweh frequently experiences clashes between rival armed factions in the camp. During one such incident Nayla went into labour a few weeks prior to her expected delivery date. The sound of missiles exploding and gunfire exchange kept her trapped in the house for hours before her husband finally managed to transport her to the hospital. Five of Nayla’s previous pregnancies had been lost, so she was afraid to lose this baby too. Luckily, Nayla arrived at the hospital just in time for childbirth. Ten minutes later, healthy baby Lana was born.
When the subesequent ceasefire was agreed in Ein el Helweh camp, Nayla’s husband contacted the Maternal and Child Health home-visiting midwife and asked her to reschedule her visit to an earlier date. The midwife had been visiting Nayla since the early stages of her pregnancy and had established a strong relationship with her. This allowed Nayla to express her thoughts and concerns freely and, in turn, enabled the midwife to provide the new mother with knowledge and health information.
As the midwife entered the family’s house, Nayla cheerfully welcomed her and immediately handed baby Lana to her. The midwife checked Lana’s health, weight, measurements, and reflexes, and Nayla was pleased to hear her daughter was doing fine.
“I don’t know how I would’ve been able to go through this complicated pregnancy in these difficult circumstances without the midwife’s follow up and support.”
During a friendly chat related to baby care, the midwife praised the new mother’s good health practices, and encouraged her to continue exclusively breastfeeding the baby until six months of age. The midwife also advised Nayla on proper positioning and breast care, and responded to her questions about umbilical cord and baby skin care.
“I don’t know how I would’ve been able to go through this complicated pregnancy in these difficult circumstances without the midwife’s follow up and support,” Nayla told MAP. “The midwife made me feel that someone cares and asks about me and my health in this country.”
She hopes that the project reaches and helps every expectant and new mother in the Palestinian camps.
*Name changed to protect identity
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