Pregnant Refugees Chad: Sexual & Reproductive Health Crisis
- "I arrived at the health center very early this morning to attend a prenatal examination, but I have been waiting for several hours.
- The farshana Health Center, like many others in the region, is struggling to cope with an increasing demand for services amidst a severe global financing crisis.
- Eastern Chad is facing a protracted humanitarian crisis,currently hosting over 1.2 million Sudanese refugees.
A Crisis of Care: Funding shortages Threaten Maternal Health in Chad
Table of Contents
The Weight of Waiting: A System Under Strain
“I arrived at the health center very early this morning to attend a prenatal examination, but I have been waiting for several hours. There are a very large number of women and a lack of midwives,” says Amina, a pregnant woman in her thirties waiting at the Farshana Health Center in eastern Chad. Her experience is a stark illustration of a growing crisis: dwindling resources are jeopardizing basic maternal healthcare for both refugees and the local population.
The farshana Health Center, like many others in the region, is struggling to cope with an increasing demand for services amidst a severe global financing crisis. Staffing has been drastically reduced – from 32 employees last year to just 10 today – while the number of people requiring care has surged, especially with the influx of refugees fleeing violence in Sudan. The center now serves over 60,000 individuals, and receives approximately 16,000 women each month for prenatal care, obstetrics, postpartum support, and family planning.
A Refugee Crisis Compounding Existing Challenges
Eastern Chad is facing a protracted humanitarian crisis,currently hosting over 1.2 million Sudanese refugees. This influx has placed an immense strain on already limited resources. The situation is particularly dire in areas like Arcum Village, where the local health center serves over 50,000 refugees and 20,000 residents, with only seven female healthcare workers available.
The Adri Health Zone has seen a dramatic increase in population,now serving more than 516,000 people. While nine new health facilities have been established to address the growing needs, thay rely heavily on support from NGOs and United Nations agencies - support that is rapidly diminishing due to the global funding shortfall.
The Impact on Women’s Health
The consequences of this funding crisis are particularly acute for women and girls.Amina’s experience – the difficulty accessing essential medications during her seventh month of pregnancy – is becoming increasingly common. The depletion of drug stocks, coupled with a shortage of equipment and personnel, is raising the risk of complications and violations of essential healthcare rights.
Chad already has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with 748 women dying per 100,000 live births. Without increased support, this rate is likely to worsen. Dr. Mahmoud Adam Ahmed, chief medical official in the Adri area, explains that initial support from partners has been significantly reduced or withdrawn as funding has frozen.
A Plea for Continued Support
Despite the challenges, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) continues to provide vital support, including personnel, equipment, supplies, and training in sexual and reproductive health. Though, as Amina poignantly states, “if the support continues, I am afraid of the health of my child and the health of all women in the camp. It is not correct to forget now.” The future health and well-being of countless women and children in Chad depend on a renewed commitment from the international community.