“The thought of losing my child and my life was the greatest fear I have ever experienced.” – Fatou Marie Tamba
It is evident that pregnancy and childbirth will continue even while crisis situations occur. However, during such times, access to crucial Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, including maternal health care services, is often disrupted, leaving pregnant women, new mothers and their new-borns exposed to severe health risks.
In March 2022, conflict broke out between the MFDC rebels and Senegalese forces in the Southern region of Senegal, resulting in the displacement of thousands of families living in communities around the Gambia-Senegal border in the affected area.
In a quest to support affected families and communities and ensure the continued delivery of essential SRH services, UNFPA in partnership with the Gambia Red Cross Society set up a mobile clinic to support the people of Foni with medical supplies and services.
Fatou Marie Tamba an indigene of Arankono village visited the UNFPA-supported mobile clinic. Luckily for her, complications with her pregnancy were detected and she got a timely referral to the Bwiam General Hospital where she received emergency care.
"I could have lost my life due to a lack of a constant antenatal check-ups because of the unforeseen conflict in my community. However, I am grateful that I could have my unborn baby and I checked at the mobile clinic, and we were sent for proper treatment before it was too late” Fatou exclaimed.
Ensuring that no woman dies of preventable causes while giving life and that for every woman who chooses pregnancy, she does so in the healthiest and safest way possible, are central to UNFPA’s mandate. The agency is committed to continue supporting the Government of The Gambia’s response to the Foni crisis, particularly around the continuity of essential SRH services.
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Media contact: Faith C. Ememodo – UNV Communications Associate ememodo@unfpa.org
