For many young women in Cameroon, one of the greatest barriers to safe motherhood is not just the availability of healthcare but the cost of accessing it. Through support from the McCain Global Leaders Impact Fund, 2022 McCain Global Leader Dr. Zyh Akumawah launched the Mama’s Lifeline Project through her organization EasyHealth Cameroon to remove that barrier for 100 vulnerable pregnant women and girls (ages 15–24) in Bamenda’s Northwest Region. The initiative specifically focused on supporting internally displaced women, survivors of sexual violence, women with disabilities, and those living in rural and semi-urban communities. It provided 100 subsidized universal health coverage (UHC) enrollment vouchers, unlocking access to free antenatal care, skilled delivery, postnatal care, emergency transportation, and essential maternal health services that many beneficiaries would otherwise not have been able to afford.
The project extended beyond financial assistance to provide support for expectant mothers. EasyHealth partnered with the Regional Delegate of Public Health and three local health facilities to conduct a facility-level baseline assessment at each facility to help direct resources to those most in need. In addition, the initiative hosted a wellness day for 25 of the most vulnerable beneficiaries, where they received emotional wellness guidance, breastfeeding education, family planning counseling, and wellness packages. Beneficiaries were also enrolled in EasyHealth’s Bati platform, giving them continued access to pregnancy health information and peer support from trained young female volunteers throughout their pregnancies and into the postpartum period.
For many participants, the initiative was life-changing. One beneficiary, whose husband had recently been killed, shared, “Nobody has cared for me like this since my husband was killed… I lack the words to describe how I feel.” Another caregiver, representing her 17-year-old daughter living with a mental health condition, said, “This gesture has saved my daughter’s life.” An internally displaced woman described breaking down after learning she could not afford UHC enrollment before receiving support through the project, adding, “The McCain Institute has no idea what they have done for me.” These personal stories underscore how removing a relatively small financial barrier can transform access to lifesaving maternal healthcare and provide hope for families facing extraordinary hardship.
The Mama’s Lifeline Project not only delivered a full scope of activities but also demonstrated a model with the potential to improve maternal health far beyond Bamenda. As EasyHealth continues to support beneficiaries through the Bati platform and monitor health outcomes, the project is laying the foundation for broader efforts to expand maternal healthcare access across Cameroon. The McCain Global Leaders Impact Fund helped create healthier beginnings for families while demonstrating the life-changing impact of removing barriers to care by supporting an MGL alumni’s vision of investing in young mothers during one of the most critical moments in their lives,
The McCain Global Leaders Program supports character-driven leaders from around the world who embody Senator John McCain’s legacy of serving a cause greater than oneself. Structured as a 12-month fellowship and experiential learning experience, each cohort will include a diverse group of leaders from around the world who are working “in the arena” to advance democracy and protect human rights and freedom. The program is designed to advance each Leader’s personal and professional leadership journey and impact by providing training, resources, and access to highly relevant regional and global networks to prepare today’s leaders to meet tomorrow’s challenges.