The Great Responsibility for a Health Centre
Tigist, midwife at the Georche Health Centre, Ethiopia
The Georche Health Centre lies in a hilly landscape in the south of Ethiopia. An ambulance is just driving up and a very pregnant woman gets out–exhausted from the long journey there, but relieved that she can count on professional help.
An Experienced Midwife
The midwife Tigist examines her thoroughly and ascertains that the birth will not really start for another few hours. Time enough to examine other women, provide professional advice and to deal with some office work. Despite her young age of 23, Tigist has lots of professional experience and can manage the centre professionally together with her colleague.
Great Workload
Many babies are born at the Georche Health Centre, because less risky cases are transferred there from five smaller health posts in the surrounding area. The two midwives have an enormous workload. Nevertheless, they find time to visit another health post at least every other week. Their professional expertise is urgently needed there, because the local staff (extension workers) have only very rudimentary medical training.
Worthy of Praise and Thanks
Tigist keeps her chin up. She continues to receive much praise and encouraging words from the villagers. The young woman is also strongly committed to her own family. She regularly gives part of her wages to her mother, whose salary as a bookkeeper is not enough to pay for the education of Tigist's four siblings.