Maternal healthcare challenges highlighted in Ghana and Malawi

In Ghana, community health nurse Esther Ali successfully managed an emergency delivery in the Bolgatanga Municipality. After receiving an urgent call, Ali arrived at a location in the bush where Mary Alobase had unexpectedly given birth while traveling to a clinic. Despite having never conducted an independent delivery, Ali coordinated with a midwife via telephone to secure essential supplies. She managed the umbilical cord and administered oxytocin to assist with the placenta before arranging for the mother and newborn to be moved to a facility.

In Malawi, participants in the NPL 2026 Mother’s Fun Run sleepover challenge reported severe systemic issues within the Mzimba North District Health Office. Reports included the death of an 18-year-old mother and her unborn baby due to a lack of oxygen, the inability to measure hemoglobin levels, and delays in ambulance services. Additionally, healthcare workers at Mpherembe Health Centre were forced to use an adult resuscitation bag to save a premature newborn because specialized infant equipment was unavailable.