MIDWIFE ANA
"We face a lot of challenges in our daily work," explains Ana, who has worked as a midwife since November 1995.
"Sometimes, I have to assist with deliveries at a home in a village. I will walk to the village while carrying the equipment bag," says Ana who has walked up to three hours each way to help mothers in labour.
"Sometimes I can go by motorbike, other times I have to ride a horse with the family members to reach their home and assist the mother during childbirth."
"If during the childbirth there is a complication, we will transport the mother in a mini truck if the ambulance is not available."
UNICEF is supporting the health sector in Viqueque, where Ana works, to improve the quality and accessibility of medical care for pregnant mothers.
Currently, 70 per cent of rural health posts in Timor-Leste have no access to water. "Now we have good water supply," explains Ana. "But when we had no water, we had to ask the family members of the patient to carry one or two gallons of water to assist the delivery process."
With better facilities, it’s hoped more women will choose to come to health clinics to deliver.
"We had to ask the family members of
the patient to carry one or two gallons
of water to assist the delivery process."