According to the Demographic Health Survey in 2013, Maternal Deaths accounted for 36 percent of all deaths among women age 15-49.
Moses Sesay is a youth making his living from commercial bike-riding and he is a father of two children. Moses said one of the key reasons for the increase in maternal deaths in Kambia is the alleged naked corruption in administration of contraceptives, a remedy to birth control, safe parenthood and unwanted pregnancies. He said the cost for family planning contraceptives is a major cause for the rapid increase in teenage pregnancy in Kambia District.
Osman Sankoh, another commercial bike rider and Chairman Kambia Lane Park said negligence on the side of health care workers is one of the factors responsible for the death of women and new-born children in Kambia District, adding that free health care in the district is no more.
Alhaji S.Y Turay is a civil rights activist and community advocate on justice. He said the current health situation in Kambia District cannot be unconnected to the attitude of health care workers and the lack of basic health commodities in the district.
The District Medical Superintendent, Dr. Isaac Sesay gave a medical explanation on the cause of the high mortality rate in the district. He said the decision of pregnant women to not seek medical help is one of the reasons for the rise in maternal and new-born deaths in the north-western district of Kambia.
He added, “Only 6% of women and girls in Kambia have access to contraceptives, and this is the lowest in the country.”