SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — A newborn is more likely to die in Mississippi than in any other state in the nation, according to the latest figures from the Mississippi Department of Health.
Some point to the lack of affordable prenatal healthcare available to women, which is why the Care Center Medical Clinic in Southaven is filling a void.
Two years ago, Alexis Slade said she was pregnant and afraid.
“I didn’t know what to do, I didn’t know how to handle it, I didn’t know at all,” said Slade.
At 16, she decided to seek the help of the Care Center; she is one of about 400 to 500 women that do so on a monthly basis.
“We’re the only one in north Mississippi,” said Claudia Niebanck, the clinic’s executive director.
The clinic offers free prenatal care such as ultrasounds and prenatal pills as well as parenting and childbirth classes.
For every 1,000 live births in Mississippi in 2014, there were about eight infant deaths.
Niebanck said her clinic is helping to change those figures.
“We even had some ladies come and they were 40 weeks pregnant and didn’t know it,” said Niebanck.
According to the state’s health department, from 2013 to 2014, the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births in northwest Mississippi dropped from about eight to five.
“And we always say they have to leave here with a smile,” said Niebanck.
Slade did, and two years later, so her son, Eli, is also smiling.
“Because of them, I am definitely a better person — mother, anyway,” said Slade.
The clinic is holding a fundraiser Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Desoto Plaza located at 1277 Main St. in Southaven.
The money raised will help them keep the clinic open five days a week instead of the current three days.
