In a country that records one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the Arab region — a tragic outcome of the deteriorating health system, especially in rural areas — inspiring stories emerge that restore hope and give new meaning to life. Najla Balghaith, 35 years old, works with her husband in the education sector in Al-Munira district of Al-Hodeidah governorate. However, the suspension of salaries since the beginning of the conflict has severely affected their living conditions. Najla was among the beneficiaries of the Integrated Reproductive Health Services Project, implemented by All Girls Foundation for Development (AGF) at Al-Munira Rural Hospital with funding from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Through this project, she received free medical services that ultimately saved her life and the life of her baby. Najla had suffered from eight previous miscarriages and recurrent bleeding during every pregnancy. She recalls: “Despite my difficult circumstances, I used to visit the doctor during the early months of each pregnancy. But the bleeding would continue, and I would always end up losing the baby — even though all the tests showed no underlying health issues.”
The doctor supervising her case explained: “When Najla came to Al-Munira Rural Hospital, she was in the second month of her ninth pregnancy, experiencing severe anxiety and fear of another miscarriage. After conducting several tests, we discovered small blood clots that had caused her previous miscarriages. We prescribed the necessary medication and closely monitored her condition through 12 successful follow-up visits.”
After nine months of careful monitoring and continuous care, Najla delivered a healthy, full-term baby through a safe cesarean section. Her long journey of pain and loss finally ended in a moment of pure joy — the birth of new hope that embodies the true meaning of patience and restores life’s warm heartbeat once again.