Cestos City, Rivercess County – The Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Mady Biaye, has concluded a one-day stakeholders’ engagement aimed at improving maternal health and reducing pregnancy-related deaths in Rivercess County.
During the engagement, Dr. Biaye said he was deeply moved by the challenges pregnant women face, especially those living in remote towns where accessing emergency care requires hours of travel. He noted that some women endure five to ten-hour journeys to reach a health facility, a delay that significantly lowers the survival chances of both mother and child.
Dr. Biaye emphasized the need for health workers and local authorities to become more innovative, proactive, and fully compliant with medical protocols. He stressed that most maternal deaths are preventable if health teams anticipate complications early, conduct thorough antenatal visits, and strengthen response systems within communities.
The UNFPA Country Representative also highlighted the urgency of keeping adolescent girls in school as a critical strategy to reduce teenage pregnancy and maternal mortality. He noted that some girls become pregnant unintentionally, including through gender-based violence, and insisted that pregnant students must not be forced out of school. “Children should not be giving birth to children,” he said, urging communities to support young girls rather than stigmatize them.
Dr. Biaye reaffirmed the commitment of the UN system—including UNICEF and other technical partners—to ensure that young girls remain in school and receive the protection and healthcare they need. He stressed that sustained efforts to keep girls in the classroom will drastically reduce their exposure to life-threatening pregnancies.
Meanwhile, Rivercess County Health Officer, Dr. Dyujay Karnga, presented findings from a seasonal analysis of health indicators between 2024 and 2025. He said the county recorded alarming increases in maternal mortality, neonatal deaths, teenage pregnancy among girls aged 10 to 14, and low family planning uptake. He described the rising numbers as “skyrocketing,” calling for intensified interventions.
Dr. Karnga, however, commended UNFPA’s field support, particularly in the Monweh Belt, where ambulance services have facilitated multiple life-saving referrals. He disclosed that 15 emergency referrals were recently made from hard-to-reach areas, with many cases involving deliveries. He added that the most recent referral resulted in both mother and newborn being safely discharged, underscoring the impact of timely support.
