The leader of Gambia Moral Congress, Ahmed Mai Fatty has described the rise in women dying while giving birth as worrisome and called for concerted efforts to address the situation.
The former interior minister’s comment came after a picture of one Aji Sukai Jaw, 28, was reported to have died in labour at Brikama, West Coast Region, as it was widely shared on social media by concern Gambians.
“Aji Sukai Jawo, aged 28, a resident of Brikama, West Coast Region, reportedly died last night at the Brikama Hospital during operations, due to power outage. While giving birth, she was said to have bled profusely and was subsequently rushed to theatre. Suddenly, electricity went off, and the hospital back-up generator failed to start. Inevitably, the operation failed as a result and she lost her life.
“Giving birth to another life has become a recurring death sentence in The Gambia. It is very common and the Authorities remain in reckless denial. I don’t see the wisdom of spending hundreds of millions of Dalasis to purchase ambulances, specifically for improving electoral prospects, while patients are dying in hospitals. Patients are dying at home. Patients are dying on transit in ambulances. Patients are dying at health clinics,” he said.
According to him, most of these deaths are easily preventable. Something is fundamentally wrong. It has to do with misprioritization.
“When the interests of the “self” supersede the interests of the Nation, every project, every policy, every decision, every action is measured against how it would primarily serve self-perpetuating rule; every benefit to the public becomes merely incidental and not intended.
“This battle is about redeeming our Sovereignty from foreign control. This battle is about protecting our Liberty. This is a battle against historical revisionism. This battle is about saving lives. This battle is about our economy and resources. This battle is about the soul of The Gambia. We all have the opportunity to decide if we desire this debacle to proceed or to terminate. That choice and decision is yours on December 4th, 2021. Sovereignty belongs to you. Be wise. Be smart. Your destiny depends on it. May Peace prevail in The Gambia,” he added.