World Refugee Day
London - Today (20 June), is World Refugee Day. For the 42 million refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) around the world, everyday life can be a major struggle and many basic services, like healthcare, are difficult to access. Today is a day to remember that struggle and galvanise support for people like Odette, an IDP from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Marie Stopes International works with refugees and IDPs in countries such as Nepal, Uganda and Afghanistan. Help us to help them.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - Odette was from the eastern part of the country, and as fighting swept across the east, Odette scared and heavily pregnant, was forced to flee her home. Like millions of others across the world, she had suddenly become a displaced person.
Shortly after fleeing, Odette went into labour and for three days was in indescribable pain. The labour was obstructed and Odette desperately needed help. She tried to reach a hospital, first by foot, and then by boat, but not long after setting off the boat’s engine broke down. Along with all of the other passengers, Odette was stranded, floating aimlessly in the middle of the lake.
By sheer coincidence, a team of NGO medical staff, including a midwife, were on a motorboat going to one of the local health clinics only accessible by water. Seeing the motorboat, the stranded passengers flagged it down and Odette was immediately transferred onto it. Writhing in pain, she was examined by the midwife who quickly realised the seriousness of the situation. The baby had already died, and Odette’s life was also in great danger. Turning the motorboat around, the medical team made their way to the district hospital, an hour’s journey away.
When the boat arrived at the port, Odette was transferred to a car for the ten minute ride to the hospital. The hospital is the main referral one for a large area. Run by the Ministry of Health, it also receives long-term support from an international NGO.
When the car carrying Odette arrived, there were doctors waiting for her. They had been alerted by a radio call from one of the medical staff on the motorboat as it made its way to port.
Inside the hospital, electricity supplies were erratic and there were no sterile surgical supplies, no anaestectic or antibiotics, no IV bags or tubing.
Despite the doctors’ best efforts, Odette died.
Odette went into labour under particularly difficult circumstances, but had she had access to the appropriate healthcare and treatment when she first felt the baby coming, she and her unborn child may have survived.