by Nadia Ramoutar  MMM Communications Coordinator                               Ireland                     23.05.2024

Recently, three friends of mine in their early 50s died only days apart. They didn’t know one another but I knew them all well. One died at her own birthday party of a massive heart attack. All three women were vibrant and loving family members who seemed so strong and resilient. But when death comes, that doesn’t seem to really have any significance. As my own birthday approached, I found myself fluctuating between being glad to be alive and being grief stricken with mourning. In these moments in between, the inevitable question emerges “What is the point?”

Such a question is the voice of grief without a doubt. I am sad for the children left without mothers at too young an age. I know that it is unfair that some people get to live very long lives and others do not – or is it?

What is stunning is that when we look around the world we see that certain things are not guaranteed. There is a very disturbing difference in the statistics on how long a person is expected to live based on the geography of their birth.

But, it is also clear that whether or not a woman survives childbirth depends in large part on her geography. On May 23rd we celebrate the Prevention of Obstetric Fistula to try and raise awareness to the whole world about this awful condition that is fully avoidable. After over 100 years of not seeing it often in the West the condition has recently emerged again in the UK. But sadly, we can see here again that it is only impacting a specific socio-economic group.

Seeing women die during childbirth or being profoundly scared so they can no longer experience any kind of quality of life is not just a medical issue, it is also a human rights issue. All women should be given access to what is needed when they are pregnant regardless of status, skin colour or age. Some of those dying are really still girls.

The MMMs have been pioneers in this area for many decades. We continue to provide essential ante-natal and birthing services to some of the world’s most poor and marginalised women. We will continue to expand our efforts and are able to do so through the generosity of our donors who pray for us and who contribute to our efforts.

We shall all pray that relief can be given to more and sooner. It’s only fitting that those who care about God, care about one another realising there are no “others” only us!