My name is Zainab Conteh. I am 28 years old and the fifth house wife to Chief Pa Alimamy Bangura, who has a total of six wives. I live at 4 Iscandri Street, Old Port Loko. I was admitted at the Female Ward at the Port Loko Government Hospital on June 7, 2006 after I went into labour.

Zainab Conteh, Patient, Female Ward, Port Loko Government Hospital

The baby boy I am suckling was delivered the next day after going through caesarian operation performed by the only medical doctor at the Hospital, Dr Ibrahim J. Kargbo-Labour.

It was my third pregnancy. The first child died few hours after delivery at home to traditional birth attendants. The second is nine years old an attending school.

I am really grateful to these people (the medical doctor and staff of the Port Loko Government Hospital) for this wonderful service because I overheard them saying that due to my height and the size of the baby I would never have delivered the child alive normally and that my life was at risk. Guess what could have happened if I had chosen to deliver at home”,

It is only after successfully going through this that I have realized the essence of delivering at a health centre or hospital rather than to traditional birth attendants at home.

May the Allah reward them!