A young mother to be died with her baby yesterday at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul.

Ma Nyima Jatta, 25, from Brufut, died during childbirth after suffering severe blood loss.

The Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul put out an urgent appeal last night through social media news platform What’s On Gambia for blood donors.

“Ma Nyima Jatta’s chances of survival will severely diminish if a donor isn’t found as soon as possible,” the appeal stated in a matter of urgency.

Ms Nyima and her baby died despite the frantic efforts of the public to help her with blood donations.

Her death had put the spotlight again on the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul. There is a recent spike in the rate of maternal mortality at the hospital and it is being accused of lacking essential drugs and qualified personnel to ensure a safe and healthy delivery for would be mothers.

A recent investigation by the U.S based media NPR found that “most women who give birth in public clinics in the Gambia get no pain medication — no epidural, no anesthesia, no nitrous oxide gas.
The only exception is if the midwife has to do an episiotomy. She’ll use a local anesthetic before making the cut.

“Even after major surgery, the common treatments for pain are similar to what many Americans have in their medicine cabinets for routine headaches — acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen.”

Gambians from all walks of life have taken to social media in the wake of Ms Nyima Jatta’s death to express their concerns and outrage in the spike in death of young pregnant women.

Tisco Camzy said: “So sad our young woman are dying every day. May Her soul and the soul of the baby rest in peace.”

Sarata Kaba said: “Oh my goodness, what a sad news, after all the sleepless nights she couldn’t make it. May we never labour in veined. What a sad news.”

Mbengeh Njie said: “What is this blood issue with pregnant women these days. Are they not taking their iron tablets? This is becoming too frequent. Ahhh the hospital should take preventive measures. So sad. May her gentle soul rest in peace. Amen.”

Ibrahim Fadera said: “Rest in peace. Our government should invest in the hospitals. This year many pregnant young women died in the Gambia. It’s one too many.”

Mohammed Mariga said: “This pissed me off why pregnant women dying every day in our hospitals.”