
Fortune News | Jan 29,2022
Sep 10 , 2023
By Eden Sahle
Upon announcing that my my husband and I were expecting our first child, family and friends expressed their concerns about our birth plan.
They urged us to have our child in the United States, where my inlaws reside. Their concerns were not primarily about Ethiopia's high infant and maternal mortality rates but rather about the uncertainties of giving birth in the country.
While it is true that only a small number of women in Ethiopia can afford birth tourism, this practice reflects a desire for a secure and healthy future for their children.
Many of our family members and acquaintances have travelled abroad to give birth and secure citizenship for their children. One couple recently invested a significant amount of money in medical expenses and travel to secure a brighter future for their children.
They had misgivings that their children would likely have a bleak future, as believed children born in the country typically face numerous challenges in terms of overall well-being when compared to those born in developed countries.
It was difficult to argue against their point.
Children in Ethiopia face a daunting array of challenges, including chronic conflict, dire economic conditions, a lack of opportunity, and poor access to education which have persisted for generations, creating a cycle of poverty and deprivation that is difficult to break.
On the other hand, kids born in wealthy nations oftentimes have access to a better quality of life and education, which can lead to higher cognitive abilities and more years of schooling.
Studies indicate that holding a high-quality education and lifestyle can have long-term benefits as it can help to create a more valuable professional network and provide better healthcare opportunities.
The nation still struggles to reduce the number of newborn deaths within the first 28 days.
Although there has been significant progress in reducing maternal and child mortality over the last two decades, there is still a long road ahead for the country. Unfortunately, the rates of maternal mortality (412 per 100,000 live births) and child mortality (67 per 1,000 children) are still unacceptably high.
This is due to a number of factors, including a struggling healthcare system, underfunded health services, a lack of skilled and specialised healthcare providers, and a lack of investment in maternal and newborn health. Inaccessibility to quality antenatal, obstetric and postnatal health services, especially in rural areas, hampers further progress in reducing maternal deaths.
Insufficient skilled birth attendance exacerbates the persistent problem.
The tragic death of my former colleague in childbirth is a stark reminder of the persistent health and safety challenges that women in the capital face. Medical doctor friends who reviewed her records believe she is one of many mothers whose lives might have been saved with appropriate maternal healthcare.
This trend is a sign of despair and a lack of hope for the future of Ethiopia, as many parents are now choosing to have their children in wealthy nations where they believe they will be safer. However, this is not a solution to the underlying problems that we face. Instead, the government must invest in maternal and child health care and other essential services in order to create a better future for all its citizens.
A peaceful country is a haven, where children can grow up safe and healthy and adults can thrive. When communities are in unity, they create a force for good that can overcome adversity. Conversely, a nation divided and conflict-ridden is like a ship without a rudder, adrift in a stormy sea; constantly at risk of collapse.
Our decision to have our child here is not based on a sense of security or a belief that our child will have a bright future in the country. Nor is it because we underestimate the benefits of having our child in a developed nation. Rather, it is rooted in our faith, which gives us the strength to see beyond the current challenges.
We believe in our nation's potential and strive to contribute towards its greatness.
We are confident that this can be a place where everyone has an opportunity to reach their full potential.
PUBLISHED ON
Sep 10,2023 [ VOL
24 , NO
1219]
Fortune News | Jan 29,2022
My Opinion | Jul 08,2023
Radar | Jun 01,2019
Sunday with Eden | May 23,2021
Radar | Mar 20,2021
Radar | Apr 20,2019
Fortune News | Sep 28,2019
Viewpoints | Dec 04,2022
Featured | Sep 04,2021
Radar | Oct 05,2024
My Opinion | 122791 Views | Aug 14,2021
My Opinion | 118908 Views | Aug 21,2021
My Opinion | 117340 Views | Sep 10,2021
My Opinion | 115159 Views | Aug 07,2021
Dec 22 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Charged with transforming colossal state-owned enterprises into modern and competitiv...
Aug 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Although predictable Yonas Zerihun's job in the ride-hailing service is not immune to...
Jul 28 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Unhabitual, perhaps too many, Samuel Gebreyohannes, 38, used to occasionally enjoy a couple of beers at breakfast. However, he recently swit...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Investors who rely on tractors, trucks, and field vehicles for commuting, transporting commodities, and f...
Feb 9 , 2025
This week, the African Union's (AU) annual summit in Addis Abeba is set to be more th...
Feb 1 , 2025
Urban renewal is seldom gentle to those on the receiving end of redevelopment. Take s...
Jan 25 , 2025
Grand ambitions have long driven Ethiopia's successive leaders, but they remain weigh...
Jan 18 , 2025
Adanech Abebie, the mayor of Addis Abeba, addressed last week a warm-up session for h...
Feb 9 , 2025 . By ROBERA GETACHEW
The abrupt funding pause of American aid has left the humanitarian world reeling, spa...
Feb 9 , 2025 . By AKSAH ITALO
The Ethiopian Investment Commission is under intense scrutiny after the Federal Audit...
Oromia Bank has elected a new board chairperson following the resignation of Assefa S...
Feb 9 , 2025 . By AKSAH ITALO
The Ethiopian Roads Administration (ERA) has suspended 27 road projects due to securi...