According to the news in the Senegalese press, 34-year-old Astou Sokhna, 9 months pregnant, living in the city of Louga, about 200 kilometers from the capital Dakar, went to Amadou Sakhir Mbaye State Hospital on April 5, when labor pains increased.
THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT DO CESERIE
Allegedly, Sokhna, whose birth did not start despite the pains, told the midwife that she wanted to have a cesarean section, but the midwife said that “the birth was not planned that day and they would not do a cesarean section”.
“DEALING IN VAIN”
According to Sokhna’s wife, although the family insisted on the operation, the midwife on duty said, “Your birth wasn’t today, why did you come? You don’t have a cesarean section, don’t worry about it.” gave the answer.
He begged, saying “I have no strength left to endure”
Sokhna finally told the midwives, “Please take me into surgery, I can’t go out tomorrow, I can’t stand it.” Although she begged, she was forced into normal birth.
MOTHER AND BABY LOSE LIVES
Despite being in pain for about 20 hours, Sokhna and her baby, who were not treated, died on 7 April.
CRITICAL TO THE HEALTH SYSTEM IN SENEGAL
The death of the young woman has also brought up the debate about the health system in Senegal.
Many chronic problems such as capacity and equipment problems in hospitals, training of personnel in charge, and hospital management were brought up for discussion again.
After the incident, which had great repercussions in the country’s press and social media, an investigation was launched against the hospital management.
President Macky Sall also stated that they will follow the event.
Health Minister Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr also said that Sokhna’s death was a “preventable pregnancy death”, but drew attention to the fact that there has been a decrease in pregnant and child deaths in the country in recent years.
In thousands of posts on social media with the hashtag “Justice pour Astou Sokhna” (Justice for Astou Sokhna), users shared the troubles with the health system in the country.
ACTION WILL BE HELD IN DAKAR ON 23 APRIL
After the incident was reflected in the press, a demonstration was held yesterday with the participation of thousands of people in the city of Louga, where Sokha died.
Organized by the “Justice Collective for Astou Sokhna”, the demonstration carried banners and placards reading “Justice for Astou Sokhna”, “Our right to the healthcare system”, “We are breaking our silence”.
The collective announced that they will meet again in Dakar on April 23.
On the other hand, health workers’ unions, which are the target of criticism, will hold a work stoppage action on April 21 for the “honour of health personnel”.
BABY FORGOTTEN UNDER ULTRAVIOLET RAYS DIED.
In Senegal, there were serious discussions about maternal and infant mortality last year.
In October 2021, the death of a baby, who was diagnosed with jaundice in a private hospital in Dakar, as a result of being forgotten under ultraviolet rays, created a shock effect in the country.
It was revealed that the baby was exposed to the rays for at least 5 hours, which should have taken 10 minutes, and burned to death as a result of the negligence of the nurses.
The hospital management said that the baby died due to “sudden respiratory arrest”, and the incident was noticed when the family wanted to see the baby’s body.
According to the figures of the Independent Physicians Union of Senegal (SAMES), 717 pregnant women died in the country in 2021. (AA)