Marenet*, 57, is a mother of six who has suffered from ureterovaginal prolapse (UVP) for over twelve years, a condition that began during the delivery of her last child. Marenet’s family are subsistence farmers living in a remote village in the Tigray region, an area significantly impacted by a conflict that lasted for more than three years. This conflict caused extensive devastation to the region’s health infrastructure and overall health services. The impact of the war is still visible, and recovery will require a long time.
To address these problems, Save the Children launched the surge team strategy with financial assistance from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. By deploying highly skilled medical and surgical teams to remote and inaccessible facilities, local people were able to receive life-saving services. These services targeted individuals with low incomes who could not afford health care and other related expenses. Consequently, the community benefited from free health treatments.
Marenet’s story highlights the transformative impact of the medical care she received, giving her hope and a renewed sense of vitality.
Marenet’s story in her own words (Quotes):
“My name is Marent, and I am a mother of six children. We live in a remote rural area in Tigray, far from the district town. Farming has been my lifelong occupation. We cultivate various food crops and rely on our small farm and livestock for both our income and sustenance. However, in recent times, the income from selling our livestock and crops has not been sufficient to meet our family’s food needs.
When I gave birth to my youngest son, I endured a prolonged labor and a very complicated delivery. As a result, I developed a uterine prolapse, a condition I lived with for over twelve years without receiving any treatment. This illness created many challenges in my life. Due to my condition, I was unable to work on the farm, and I had to lease half of my land to others to cultivate.
Despite the health problem, the illness profoundly impacted my social and economic situation. The constant discharge from my uterus and the unpleasant odor it caused led to my social exclusion. I often felt embarrassed and missed attending church services, which caused significant psychosocial distress. This condition left me feeling marginalized and isolated from my community.
Even though I desperately wanted to receive treatment at the time, the high cost and the lack of nearby service providers made it impossible. I had to endure my condition until Save the Children and their surge team arrived in our area and provided the necessary treatment free of charge.
Now, after receiving much-needed healthcare, I feel rejuvenated and full of energy. I believe I can return to the vitality of my younger years. I am eager to resume my work on the farm, reestablish intimacy with my long-time husband, and strengthen our relationship.
I am incredibly grateful to the health workers and Save the Children for their support. Their efforts have been life-changing for me and other women in my community; it feels like being born again. Now, I can attend church and return to my family healthy and happy.
To my fellow women who are in a similar situation, I urge you to seek help here. I assure you that you will receive the care you need and regain your health.”
What is Save the Children doing to help Marenet and others like her?
As part of the surge team strategy, Save the Children, with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is offering alternative health services to communities affected by the war in the Tigray region. In addition to providing free healthcare services to the community, the surge team is offering on-the-job training to health service providers at local health facilities. This effort aims to improve the local health system and eventually transfer skills to local health service providers.
The surge team delivers high-level surgical and medical services to the local community, addressing long-standing and chronic illnesses caused by a lack of access to healthcare. A result of the surge team’s efforts, many people have been relieved of their long-term medical complications, all free of charge.
The surge team initiative has proven to be both cost-efficient and effective in reaching individuals who lack access to basic health services due to prolonged conflict and other disasters in the area. In the past month alone, the initiative has made significant strides:
- 86 mothers received treatment for uterovaginal prolapse.
- [774 Major, 10477 Minor]] surgeries were successfully conducted.
- [53421] Children and adults were treated for various illnesses.
In addition to the services provided at the static health facility, the surge team also offers outreach health services to children and adults on a weekly basis. This consistent outreach ensures that even the most vulnerable populations receive the care they need.
