Vivian Ametodzie on first sight doesn’t look like your typical Ghanaian midwife. Fair in complexion and unassuming in looks, Vivian is actually one of Agona Swedru’s eloquent and dedicated rotational midwives who ply her trade in two health facilities – the Duakwa Community Salvation Army Clinic and the Nsaba health centre.
Vivian Ametodzie on first sight doesn’t look like your typical Ghanaian midwife. Fair in complexion and unassuming in looks, Vivian is actually one of Agona Swedru’s eloquent and dedicated rotational midwives who ply her trade in two health facilities – the Duakwa Community Salvation Army Clinic and the Nsaba health centre. BeginningVivian explains that she began working as a nurse at the Nsaba government health institution in 2005. She states that her interest in midwifery began when a midwife posted to Nsaba community in the Agona East district in 2006 began to solicit her services in the delivery of babies at dawn and in the wee hours of the morning. Vivian recalls “Around the time, there weren’t enough health workers and I lived in a building which served as a clinic and also a residence for health workers.” Worried about the fate of pregnant women in Nsaba community in the event of the midwife’s demise or transfer, Vivian decided to specialize in midwifery to increase the number of midwives for the community. 20 Babies a Week After completing her training in midwivery, Vivian was posted to the Duakwa Salvation Army clinic where she currently delivers 10 babies a week. Not satisfied, Vivian claims “I wanted to help the people of Nsaba so I took it upon myself to offer my services at no cost at the Nsaba health centre”. Vivian claims that at the Nsaba health centre, she aids in the delivery of 10 newborns. ChallengesWhen asked if she has any challenges Vivian states, “Being a rotational nurse has its ups and downs. I really get tired working in two health facilities and sometimes I want to quit. The joy of delivering healthy babies and saving the lives of pregnant women in two health facilities keeps me going.” Vivian's Advice to Other Midwives and GovernmentVivian encourages midwives to be dedicated to the profession. She states that although the profession does not offer much remuneration, “We must all remember that our service is not to man but God and mankind. We are in this world because someone sacrificed to deliver us. ” According to her government must increase the number of midwives to achieve MDGs 4 and 5. Vivian’s dedication and commitment to her profession is testament that money should not be an influencing factor in our decision to contribute to save the life of a mother and her newborn. Get InvolvedTo know more about how what should be done, MamaYe encourages you to get involved. You can make that contribution.