Traditional
Birth Attendants |
Traditional
birth attendants provide a vital service in Kambia. They are
trained to perform sterile, safe deliveries and recognise the
warning signs of complications of childbirth
which require trained assistance.
Another important role is to provide comfort to the women who
are naturally anxious given the high maternal death rate and
the problems (financial and physical) that can occur. The fees
charged by traditional birth attendants are approximately £5-7
per straightforward delivery.
Most traditional birth attendants are illiterate.
When they have completed their initial training, they are each
given a wooden 'statistics' box (see photos). Each compartment
has a picture and this box is used as a method of compiling
statistics. The box has 5 compartments
and the traditional birth attendants put small stones in the
appropriate section of their box to record details of the births
that they have attended, eg number of live births, number of
stillbirths, is she has to refer the mother to the local clinic.
Most traditional birth attendants are illiterate.
They record details of births attended by putting stones into
compartments of a wooden box.
The TBA Box also has a larger wooden box made locally in
Kambia town that contains basic supplies for
Traditional Birth Attendants: Surgical spirit-cotton
wool-safety pins-nail clippers-razor blades-torch and
batteries- towels- bandages-gauze-soap-needle and
thread-apron-plastic sheeting.
Certification Ceremony for
Traditional Birth Attendants - April 2006
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A Traditional Birth
Attendant
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Presenting a certificate
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The ceremony
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Dancing to
celebrate
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Further information:
Maternal problems in Kambia District
Childbirth in Kambia
Vesico-vaginal
fistula
Training of Maternal and Child Health Aides
Interviews
with people from Kambia (November 2005)
Visit to Kambia by midwives from Cheltenham |
