Our charity partner Health Poverty Action works with amazing health professionals in 17 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Often the circumstances in which they work are incredibly challenging, which makes it difficult for them to do their jobs.
Donate now on our As One JustGiving page.
Together, through this partnership, NASGP members can join in supporting, empowering and sharing knowledge with health professionals worldwide. United in this network we can make significant impact on our colleagues around the world. To find out how you can practically support from here in the UK visit: www.healthpovertyaction.org/asone
Meet some of the health professionals you will be supporting
- Dr Samy Juarez, Director of San Carlos Sija Health Centre in Guatemala “I realise they [Traditional Birth Attendants] are good because they know local culture, they speak the local language, they know the family and understand the patient. It shouldn’t be competition [between Traditional Birth Attendants’ and health staff], instead we should work together. I get close to them and help strengthen their knowledge and trust…….. [Maternal health will be reduced] if Health Poverty Action, Traditional Birth Attendant’s, local government and ministry of health staff work together…. [Together] we can be a perfect mix between western medicine and Mayan. Combined this partnership can work.”
- Chantal Mutarambirwa, Nurse at CHUK, Rwanda: “Incapacity to afford health services is a real challenge for us to enjoy our work…..Baby Incubators are not really expensive (around £200) and now most of the parts of the country have access to electricity, however, only 21 district hospitals have incubators. It is more than hurting to attend more pre-mature deliveries than a number of incubators available. It leads to the automatic death of some babies. I am a mother too! I understand what losing a baby means.”
- Anastacia Perez, Traditional Birth Attendant, Guatemala “You need to see danger signs, or the mother and baby die. I have seen changes [through Health Poverty Action training] – the people now go to health posts, TBAs get support, and when TBAs ask for help they get cars, or children would die. The health posts and TBAs work together and communicate well. If a TBA sees a danger sign, they get the woman to the health post or hospital. Health post staff will come, and together they will convince the family to take the woman to hospital. Both sides are vital in reducing maternal deaths”.