Kadiatu's pregnancy was near term when she came to the hospital with severe complications, including appendicitis, umbilical hernia, and ovarian cyst, endangering both her life and that of her baby. The Mercy surgical team quickly delivered the baby, a healthy baby girl, and subsequently performed an appendectomy, cystectomy, and hernia repair on the mother. Mom Kadiatu received a transfusion from Mercy's blood bank and after a brief hospital stay, was released in good condition. The emergency surgery almost certainly saved the life of both Kadiatu and her precious baby girl. Josephine came to the hospital in non-productive labor, and an examination revealed that the baby was in distress. An emergency c-section was performed, and the team discovered that the baby's umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. The baby was quickly freed and began crying without needing resuscitation. Josephine and her beautiful baby girl were discharged in good health. The maternal mortality rate in Sierra Leone has long been one of the highest in the world, with maternal deaths accounting for more than 30% of all deaths amongst women aged 15-49 years (https://www.unicef.org/sierraleone/maternal-neonatal-and-child-health.) The leading causes of maternal mortality in Sierra Leone are obstetric hemorrhage, hypertension, obstructed labor and sepsis. One of Mercy Hospital's primary objectives is to radically improve maternal and infant survival, and the ability to perform emergency surgery is a key provision in achieving the goal.
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A group of 18 CRC parents attended a class in the Great Hall to learn how to manage or start a small business, as part of the CRC's microfinance initiative. Case manager Victor Kanu taught the parents how to save money, create a budget, set goals, acquire a small loan, and talk to the bank. The participants are required to create a potential small business plan that they can implement. "This topic of saving is very important," participant Aminata said. "When my husband was sick, no family members came to our aid or contributed, and the little money I have, I spent on his operations, medications, and food. Therefore my business collapsed, because I was not saving money."
Another parent, Mamie, said, "I used to save my money under my bed in a cash box and people will steal it. With what I have learnt today on saving, I am planning to save my money in a better way." Graduates of the microfinance class receive a small start up loan to invest in a new small business, or fund an existing business. The participants, mostly women, are generally engaged in street selling to support their families. By learning good money management, these vulnerable families can become more stable and self-sufficient, so that they can stay together instead of being driven apart by the circumstances of extreme poverty. Four children were brought into the Child Reintegration Centre's Interim Care Home with the assistance of Street Child, which identifies homeless children on the streets of Bo. The CRC will care for the children in the ICH while their families are traced. The children will receive counseling and be prepared for reintegration with a family. |
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October 2024
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