Enugu: Mother Recounts Giving Birth To Twins Under Cashew Trees Due To Absence Of Hospital

She was being rushed to a primary healthcare centre which was over 4 kilometres away from her home on a motorcycle when she felt the pangs of childbirth.

Mrs Juliana Okoro, from Ishiakpu, Eha-Etiti in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, has recalled to THE WHISTLER how she gave birth to twins under cashew trees, through induced labour, nineteen years ago.

She was being conveyed to a health centre over four kilometres away on a motorbike through a bad road when she was delivered of the babies with the help of the okada rider, according to her.

She said, “I gave birth to my twin daughters under a cashew tree. I was assisted by the okada man and some neighbours who came to our rescue. This happened about 19 years ago.

“There was no health centre in Eha-Etiti then, and unfortunately till today. Without the grace of God, I shouldn’t have survived the induced labour. Many pregnant women still pass through the same ordeal today, with some fatalities. We need government assistance without further delay.”

The twins, Perpetual and Blessing, 19, said they had finished secondary education, and hoping to get admission for higher education.

Perpetual said, “When I heard the circumstances surrounding our birth, I give God the glory. We survived by His Grace. We were born in a bush.

“I want to study medical rehabilitation. I want to improve the health of our people. We have no health centre across the entire Eha-Etiti. We also need road, and other basic social amenities.”

Her sister, Blessing, said, “I want to study accounting. When I grew up and heard where and how we were born, I felt challenged.

“I also appeal for government assistance towards our education. Our dad has died, and our grandmother who had been supportive towards our education recently died. My mum is a subsistent farmer, and the only one left to train us.

“The bad road in our community has not helped matters as we can’t convey our farm produce to market. The cost is high, so we end up consuming what we produce here.

“We thank Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the ongoing road construction across our area down to Isi-Uzo, but we need accessible local routes. Our only means of movement is okada, and the charges are much.”