MSF midwife activity manager, Rita Botelho da Costa, checking on child born in the maternity ward of the Emirati hospital, Rafah, southern Gaza.

MSF midwife activity manager Rita Botelho de Costa checking on a newborn in the Emirati post-delivery ward supported by MSF. To reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality among mothers and newborns, MSF is supporting the Emirati hospital with postpartum care. An addition of 12 beds to the ward, allowing more patients to receive proper post-delivery monitoring. “Without enough supplies and too many patients, the healthcare system is overstretched, and mothers are forced to be discharged just hours after giving birth”, explains MSF midwife activity manager Rita Botelho da Costa. “The first 24 hours of postpartum are the riskiest for complications, and with people living in dire conditions, it´s important to keep the patient in the hospital as long as possible.”