Video of the week: Why did Mrs X die, retold

"Why Did Mrs X Die, Retold" is a remake of the World Health Organization 1980's film "Why Did Mrs Die?" based on a lecture by the founder of the Safe Motherhood Movement, Prof Mahmoud Fathalla.

This is a short animated film telling the story of one unfortunate woman's journey through pregnancy and childbirth. In doing so, the film paints an accurate picture of the dangers women are facing across the world, and our need to help them. 


The video highlights some issues concerning: 

•   Importance of skilled birth attendants at birth.

•   Early marriage.

•   Gender inequality.

•   Tradition and lack of knowledge.

•   Out of pocket payment and bribes. 

•   Anaemia and clinical complications.

•   Inadequate referral system.

•   Lack of hospitals equipped with comprehensive medical services.

•   lack of basic amenities e.g transport.

•   Social injustice .

•   Lack of family planning services.

•   Lack of education.


Produced by Hands On for Mothers and Babies, an organization making educational tools for women in poor areas of the world. www.handsonformothersandbabies.org 

Mrs X could be any woman, our mothers, sisters or even ourselves. We as health care professionals, policy and decision makers, any one who believe in the dream of safe motherhood for all should continue to join forces in making safe pregnancy and childbirth a basic human right and not a tragedy.