Ouagadougou: "The Forgotten of the Odyssey, Chronicle of a Perilous Motherhood," a book by Idrissa Ilboudo, was launched in Ouagadougou as a call to improve access to maternal and neonatal care and reduce childbirth-related deaths and disabilities.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the book, inspired by true events, follows the character R©nise and portrays the hardships faced during pregnancy, childbirth, and recovery from obstetric complications. Ilboudo emphasized the preventable nature of maternal and newborn deaths, urging collective responsibility from institutions, healthcare professionals, families, and communities to address these tragedies.
During the dedication ceremony at the Charles-de-Gaulle University Pediatric Hospital, Ilboudo described his work as a "plea against silence and forgetting," advocating for the end of viewing maternal and neonatal deaths as inevitable. Professor Charlemagne Ou©draogo, represented by Dr. Jacques Gilbert Kafando, highlighted the uncertain outcomes many Burkinabe women face during childbirth and pointed out challenges like the availability of safe blood products.
Dr. Kafando addressed the "three delays" that contribute to maternal and neonatal deaths: deciding to seek medical attention, evacuation, and receiving adequate care. He called on healthcare professionals to improve practices, particularly in triaging obstetric emergencies and enhancing patient reception and listening.
The book's nine chapters not only cover maternal tragedies but also delve into family life, care pathways, and recovery after complications. Ilboudo urged collective responsibility for maternal and neonatal health, advocating for those affected by childbirth complications to no longer be forgotten.
Antoinette Valian/Tougma, representing the Minister of Health, praised Ilboudo's work, asserting that it would enhance Burkina Faso's health system. She noted the government's efforts in deploying financial resources, mobile clinics, equipping healthcare facilities, and strengthening hospitals' technical capabilities, addressing concerns raised in the book.