Nasipoa Abdoul-Rohaman at her home in West Mamprusi district of Ghana.

Nasipoa is planning to deliver her baby in a health center after receiving advice and support from a "Link Provider" trained by CRS' REST project, also known as “Rural Emergency Health Service and Transport.”

The Link Provider is helping ensure that vulnerable populations, especially pregnant women, newborn babies and lactating mothers have increased access to health care.

The project is funded by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

Background:

Despite Ghana’s growth, its northern regions still struggle to reach their full potential in terms of health, economic viability and education – disproportionately affecting the country’s most impoverished and vulnerable children.

In Ghana, limited access to formal health care facilities remains a key bottleneck in the health care delivery system. Vulnerable, rural households experience the greatest challenges in attaining timely access to health care facilities during emergencies. The limitation of accessing medical care, especially during maternal and child health emergencies, is a major barrier in Ghana's effort to achieving key Millennium Development Goals.

Photo by Michael Stulman/Catholic Relief Services