Article from the Daily Observer
By David A. Yates and Simeon S Wiakanty
“This facility is meant to support women who are at risk of complications during labor. Our main focus is to prevent severe conditions like obstetric fistula, which remains a pressing issue in Liberia,” Kathi Gutierrez, CEO of Dignity Liberia said.
In a groundbreaking effort to improve maternal healthcare in rural Liberia, Dignity Liberia has inaugurated a newly constructed maternity waiting home in Todee District.
Although the facility is awaiting its official license from the government, it is poised to offer critical care and support for expectant mothers facing complications during pregnancy.
The modern maternity waiting home is designed to serve women who are at high risk of complications during childbirth. Residents believe the facility will significantly reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates in Todee and surrounding areas.
Kathi Gutierrez, CEO of Dignity Liberia, who spoke on Friday, October 4, during the opening ceremony, explained the mission behind the initiative.
“This facility is meant to support women who are at risk of complications during labor. Our main focus is to prevent severe conditions like obstetric fistula, which remains a pressing issue in Liberia,” she said.
Although the facility is awaiting its official license from the government, it is poised to offer critical care and support for expectant mothers facing complications during pregnancy.
The modern maternity waiting home is designed to serve women who are at high risk of complications during childbirth. Residents believe the facility will significantly reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates in Todee and surrounding areas.
Kathi Gutierrez, CEO of Dignity Liberia, who spoke on Friday, October 4, during the opening ceremony, explained the mission behind the initiative.
“This facility is meant to support women who are at risk of complications during labor. Our main focus is to prevent severe conditions like obstetric fistula, which remains a pressing issue in Liberia,” she said.
Gutierrez explained that obstetric fistula—a childbirth injury caused by prolonged labor—often leads to incontinence and has profound social and psychological impacts.
“There are currently about 1,200 women in Liberia suffering from fistula, a condition that not only affects their physical health but also isolates them socially. Our goal is to intervene early to prevent this, ensuring safer deliveries for expectant mothers,” she added.
However, in Liberia, obstetric fistula—referred to locally as the "pepe and pupu disease"—is a condition that causes a tear between the birth canal and the bowel, leading to uncontrollable leaking of urine or feces. The stigma surrounding the condition often leaves women isolated and struggling with emotional trauma, including infertility and depression.
The maternity waiting home, which can accommodate up to ten women at a time, will provide personalized care during the final weeks of pregnancy. Gutierrez stressed the importance of close monitoring to prevent complications before they escalate. “If we can reduce the number of new fistula cases, we can focus on providing corrective surgeries for those already affected,” she noted.
She said the facility will also ease the financial burden on expectant mothers. Women using the home won’t face upfront costs but are encouraged to bring basic provisions such as rice, along with a small contribution of about US$20 for delivery fees at government hospitals. Regular health screenings will be conducted to ensure the women’s well-being throughout their stay.
The entire project, the founder said, which includes vital infrastructure such as septic systems, kitchens, and a reliable water supply, has an estimated cost of US$190,000.
Gutierrez expressed gratitude to various supporters, including the Rotary Club of Monrovia and international donors, for their contributions.
The maternity home is just the beginning, as Dignity Liberia is already fundraising for the construction of an adjacent clinic.
“We hope to start building the clinic next year. The government has been a supportive partner, and we’re optimistic about what we can achieve with continued community involvement,” Gutierrez said.
She urged local women to take advantage of the new facility, emphasizing its role in improving maternal health outcomes. “This is about saving lives. We want to build trust and encourage women to use this service for their safety and that of their babies,” she added.
Gutierrez also shared that the nursing staff will soon begin community outreach efforts to raise awareness about the services available at the waiting home.
At the dedication ceremony, Sando K. Johnson, the Town Chief of Todee, expressed his immense gratitude for the new facility. “This is for my people, and I couldn’t be happier,” Johnson remarked, emphasizing how the hospital will benefit the entire district, especially the elderly women. “Over a thousand elderly women live here, and they’re dancing with joy. This has been a long-standing need, and it’s finally here,” he said.
Johnson highlighted the difficulties residents previously faced when seeking medical care. “We had to travel great distances, sometimes to Monrovia, just to get treatment, and that’s not always possible in emergencies. This facility will change that, and I call on the government to support similar projects across the country,” he urged.
David K. Nyantee, the Community Health Supervisor, praised the family that donated the land for the hospital. “This is not just about owning land—it’s about developing it for the benefit of the community,” Nyantee said.
He also pointed out the limitations of the local clinic, which lacked even basic facilities like a waiting room for pregnant women. “This new maternity home is going to be a game-changer, especially for expectant mothers who face life-threatening risks during transit to faraway hospitals,” he added.
Cece K. Kpanya, a representative from the Women’s Group, expressed her deep gratitude, reflecting on the hardships local women have faced for years.
“This has been a huge challenge for us. Many women have found themselves in dangerous situations because they had to travel so far for care. Now, we finally have a solution,” Kpanya said.
She also called on the government to provide an ambulance to further enhance patient care.
With the opening of the maternity waiting home, Kpanya said, residents of Todee District now have renewed hope for better healthcare. “The facility marks a vital step forward in safeguarding the health of mothers and babies, and the community looks forward to continued improvements in maternal and child health services,” she added.
“There are currently about 1,200 women in Liberia suffering from fistula, a condition that not only affects their physical health but also isolates them socially. Our goal is to intervene early to prevent this, ensuring safer deliveries for expectant mothers,” she added.
However, in Liberia, obstetric fistula—referred to locally as the "pepe and pupu disease"—is a condition that causes a tear between the birth canal and the bowel, leading to uncontrollable leaking of urine or feces. The stigma surrounding the condition often leaves women isolated and struggling with emotional trauma, including infertility and depression.
The maternity waiting home, which can accommodate up to ten women at a time, will provide personalized care during the final weeks of pregnancy. Gutierrez stressed the importance of close monitoring to prevent complications before they escalate. “If we can reduce the number of new fistula cases, we can focus on providing corrective surgeries for those already affected,” she noted.
She said the facility will also ease the financial burden on expectant mothers. Women using the home won’t face upfront costs but are encouraged to bring basic provisions such as rice, along with a small contribution of about US$20 for delivery fees at government hospitals. Regular health screenings will be conducted to ensure the women’s well-being throughout their stay.
The entire project, the founder said, which includes vital infrastructure such as septic systems, kitchens, and a reliable water supply, has an estimated cost of US$190,000.
Gutierrez expressed gratitude to various supporters, including the Rotary Club of Monrovia and international donors, for their contributions.
The maternity home is just the beginning, as Dignity Liberia is already fundraising for the construction of an adjacent clinic.
“We hope to start building the clinic next year. The government has been a supportive partner, and we’re optimistic about what we can achieve with continued community involvement,” Gutierrez said.
She urged local women to take advantage of the new facility, emphasizing its role in improving maternal health outcomes. “This is about saving lives. We want to build trust and encourage women to use this service for their safety and that of their babies,” she added.
Gutierrez also shared that the nursing staff will soon begin community outreach efforts to raise awareness about the services available at the waiting home.
At the dedication ceremony, Sando K. Johnson, the Town Chief of Todee, expressed his immense gratitude for the new facility. “This is for my people, and I couldn’t be happier,” Johnson remarked, emphasizing how the hospital will benefit the entire district, especially the elderly women. “Over a thousand elderly women live here, and they’re dancing with joy. This has been a long-standing need, and it’s finally here,” he said.
Johnson highlighted the difficulties residents previously faced when seeking medical care. “We had to travel great distances, sometimes to Monrovia, just to get treatment, and that’s not always possible in emergencies. This facility will change that, and I call on the government to support similar projects across the country,” he urged.
David K. Nyantee, the Community Health Supervisor, praised the family that donated the land for the hospital. “This is not just about owning land—it’s about developing it for the benefit of the community,” Nyantee said.
He also pointed out the limitations of the local clinic, which lacked even basic facilities like a waiting room for pregnant women. “This new maternity home is going to be a game-changer, especially for expectant mothers who face life-threatening risks during transit to faraway hospitals,” he added.
Cece K. Kpanya, a representative from the Women’s Group, expressed her deep gratitude, reflecting on the hardships local women have faced for years.
“This has been a huge challenge for us. Many women have found themselves in dangerous situations because they had to travel so far for care. Now, we finally have a solution,” Kpanya said.
She also called on the government to provide an ambulance to further enhance patient care.
With the opening of the maternity waiting home, Kpanya said, residents of Todee District now have renewed hope for better healthcare. “The facility marks a vital step forward in safeguarding the health of mothers and babies, and the community looks forward to continued improvements in maternal and child health services,” she added.
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