Calling All People of Faith: Protecting Mothers. Period.
No woman should die because she can’t afford to give birth. Yet across Africa, this is happening every day.
In Nigeria, a woman carrying twins lost both babies after being turned away from multiple hospitals because she couldn’t pay just ₦28,000 (about $35 USD) for admission. In another case, a woman died because her husband could not immediately produce a ₦500,000 ($330 USD) deposit. These are not isolated tragedies—they reveal the systemic financial barriers that prevent women from accessing life-saving maternal healthcare.
The Barriers Women Face
High costs: Even where "free" programs exist, families pay substantial amounts, sometimes equal to their monthly income.
Hidden fees & informal payments: Hospitals sometimes charge unofficial costs or bribes, worsening inequity.
Lack of access: Rural women often cannot reach facilities in time, or are forced into dangerous home births without skilled attendants.
The result? Maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Africa remain among the highest in the world—yet most deaths are preventable.
“I begged them to help me, but they told me to bring money first.” — Mother in Lagos
A Spiritual Call to Action
People of faith across traditions and nations understand the sacredness of life. If we are passionate about protecting life, then we cannot stay silent while women die in childbirth due to fees.
We cannot claim to value life and ignore the women who risk theirs to bring it forth.
Advocacy for the unborn must be matched by advocacy for the women who carry them.
What We Can Do
If faith without works is dead, then our response must be alive with compassion and justice. If you are wondering where to begin, here are trusted organizations—both global and Africa-based—that you can support today:
1. Donate to organizations saving mothers’ lives
Global efforts:
White Ribbon Alliance – grassroots movement for maternal health rights.
Every Mother Counts – works to make pregnancy and childbirth safe everywhere.
UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) – delivers maternal health services in crisis and underserved areas.
Save the Children – provides maternal and newborn healthcare globally.
African-based organizations:
MamaYe Africa – campaign across Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Malawi to improve maternal and newborn survival.
LifeBank Nigeria – delivers essential medical supplies (including blood for mothers in emergency childbirth).
Amref Health Africa – Africa’s leading health NGO, with maternal and child health programs across the continent.
Wellbeing Foundation Africa – Nigeria-based foundation focused on maternal, newborn, and child health.
Jacaranda Health (Kenya) – provides affordable, high-quality maternity care for low-income women.
2. Advocate for systemic change
Call on leaders to implement Universal Health Coverage so no mother is denied care because of money.
3. Partner with local efforts
Support community midwives, faith-based hospitals, and local NGOs working in maternal health.
4. Pray and act
Pray for the women and families facing these hardships—and take action as an answer to those prayers.
