Midwife's Journey: A Beacon of Hope in South Sudan's Struggles
- Elizabeth Nyachiew, a midwife in South Sudan, is fighting to save mothers and their babies.
- Inspired by a tragic event at the age of 16, she vowed to become a midwife to reduce maternal mortality rates in the country.
- Her story is a beacon of hope and resilience in a challenging environment.
At 36, Nyachiew, a midwife working with Doctors Without Borders in Bentiu, South Sudan, reflects on her tumultuous journey through civil war, hunger, and displacement. As one of approximately 3,000 midwives in a nation grappling with one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, she is determined to make a difference. Growing up in Leer, she faced familial opposition to her education, but after persuading her father, she began her studies just as conflict escalated, culminating in South Sudan's independence from Sudan in 2011. Despite her efforts to help pregnant women, Nyachiew has witnessed the devastating consequences of inadequate healthcare. During the conflict, she and her family often sought refuge in the bush, enduring the loss of loved ones. Now residing in a displacement camp with 100,000 others, including 17 relatives who depend on her, she continues to fight for maternal health. "I am grateful there is a hospital here. If there wasn’t, yesterday might have been the end of my life," she stated, highlighting the dire conditions faced by many. The South Sudanese health system remains fragile, with the government allocating less than 2% of its national budget to health. Nyachiew emphasizes the importance of education for young girls, urging them to pursue careers in medicine. "School is very important," she insists, advocating for a future where girls can become doctors, nurses, or midwives, thereby transforming their communities. As Nyachiew battles to save mothers and their babies, her story serves as a poignant reminder of resilience and hope amid adversity in South Sudan.