Charity Salima is a nurse midwife who worked for government for 16 years before she founded her own clinic in 2008. Inspiration behind such a bold move was her service to community. Charity runs the clinic alone but has managed to deliver more than 4000 babies since its inception.
Charity Salima is a nurse midwife who worked for government for 16 years before she founded her own clinic in 2008. Inspiration behind such a bold move was her service to community. Charity runs the clinic alone but has managed to deliver more than 4000 babies since its inception.Meeting CharityI first met Charity Salima at the State House during a press briefing when Melinda Gates was in the country making follow ups on various projects her organisation is running.She stood steps away from me sharing notes with my colleague Lomuthi Mgomezulu. Her somewhat Zimbabwean accent caught my attention but what made me join them was the excitement on Lomuthi’s face. She could not stop saying ‘wow!’“I deliver between 40 and 50 babies in a month. Mostly alone,” is what I found her saying “but for me it is really about giving back to the community and not actually looking at it as a business.”Instinct told me I needed to hear more about her because she might be the success story that I was looking for.This is what I found out.Chikondi ClinicCharity is a nurse midwife who specialises in trauma and psychotic treatments. After 16 years of working in government and various non-governmental organisations, she quit to start her own clinic.With the little money that she has collected over the years, Charity bought two delivery beds, buckets, essential drugs, gloves and a few other items.From her house, in Area 23, Chikondi Clinic was born in 2008. Chikondi means ‘love’.“It came to me as a calling. I felt deep within that I needed to give something back to society. But it was also about leaving something behind, something that society will remember me by.”Area 23 is high density place where most people can hardly afford quality health care. For only K2000 (US$5.55), women are able to receive quality care, special attention from someone they know and trust.Because of the overwhelming response, operating from home became a challenge. There was need to find a bigger place.“When the idea came, I went to the chief to seek counsel. They supported it fully. And when I needed a place to work from, they helped me find a house. It is a rented premises. I hardly afford to pay sometimes, but shutting it down is not an option.”Her SuccessSince its inception in 2008, Charity has delivered more than 4000 babies with no maternal or neonatal deaths. She owes this to the positive relationship that she has built with Bwaila Hospital.“I ran the clinic 24 hours a day seven days a week. I always tell the women that when they feel something is not right they should not hesitate to come. Because I see most of them regularly, I am able to refer complicated cases to Bwaila. Where a complication starts in delivery, I have a car that is always on stand-by. I thank God that we have had safe births all along,” she said.Her mottoCharity believes that with minimal resources one can still make a positive change. This she demonstrates with services offered at the clinic.Every Thursday when mothers come for perinatal and antenatal services they are taken through various nutrition classes. She says delivering a baby is only the beginning of the journey in ensuring that babies survive.From locally found material like beans, soya and maize flour the women are taught how to make nutritious porridge for babies.That is not all, men too are taken through the importance of supporting their pregnant wives and infant babies.The futureShe looks into the future with a keen eye for a miracle. She hopes and prays for well wishers who can construct a proper clinic for the women.“I work alone because I cannot afford to pay anyone else. I have a few volunteers, four ground workers and a friend who sometimes comes on part time. What if something should happen to me? What becomes of this place? I want this place to be more than me. It is a safe haven for most women and I want it to remain just that even after me,” she said.Charity Salima is 52 year old mother of three. Her story is just one of so many heroine stories.Like her, you too can give back to society in so many ways. Join the MamaYe movement and save lives.