Faith A., 17

Faith is a 17-year-old fourth-born child who lives with her biological father and stepmother following her parents’ separation. She dropped out of school after Standard Eight due to financial difficulties, and some of her siblings have also discontinued schooling. The family relies mainly on peasant farming and lives in a two-room mud house in a rural village. Faith helps her father on the farm and enjoys attending church. Faith had recently delivered, with a neighbour assisting the family to settle her initial delivery bill. After returning home, she developed increasing weakness, fatigue and dizziness that prevented her from carrying out her usual farm activities. She also experienced perineal pain, particularly when sitting, walking or urinating, with mild bleeding. At the hospital, she was diagnosed with a first-degree perineal tear and anaemia and admitted for treatment and monitoring. This time, the family was unable to afford the hospital expenses. While admitted, the nurse in charge referred them to the Social Work Office, where they learnt about Helpster Charity and the possibility of assistance with Faith’s medical bill.

Significant anaemia increases the risk of clinical deterioration should further blood loss occur. The patient requires close monitoring, particularly during the immediate postpartum period, as postpartum haemorrhage can become life-threatening rapidly. Continued follow-up is also necessary over the subsequent days to detect delayed bleeding or infection.