Courage meets crisis in a doctor's extraordinary true account on the frontlines of maternal healthcare during a deadly epidemic in Sierra Leone. In May 2014, as the country grapples with the highest maternal mortality rate globally, a new, invisible threat emerges: Ebola. Dr. Benjamin Black finds himself at the centre of the outbreak. From the life-and-death decisions on the maternity ward to moral dilemmas in the Ebola Treatment Centers, every moment is a crossroads where a single choice could tip the balance between survival and catastrophe. The tension is palpable, and the stakes are unimaginably high. One mistake, one error of judgment, could spell disaster. Belly Woman is a powerful piece of reportage and advocacy that draws parallels between two global outbreaks of infectious diseases: Ebola and COVID-19. Black's firsthand experience on the frontlines of a global health crisis bears witness to the raw emotions, tough decisions, such as the need to carry out medically-mandated abortions to save lives, and the unwavering dedication that defines the lives of those who step up when the world needs them most. Compelling for readers with an interest in medical memoirs, social justice, and humanitarianism, as well as healthcare professionals and maternal health caregivers.

About the Author
Dr Benjamin Black is a descendent of Iranian, Jewish, and British roots. His family heritage of persecution and forced migration led him to a career in medical humanitarian relief. He is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist based in London and a specialist advisor to international aid organisations, including Medecins Sans Frontieres, government departments, academic institutions, and UN bodies. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic he provided frontline healthcare to pregnant women and supported the development of international guidelines. Benjamin teaches medical teams around the world on improving sexual and reproductive health care to the most vulnerable people in the most challenging of environments.

Reviews
"Moving, kind, eye-opening, terrifying and inspirational - this book will stay with me for years."-Adam Kay, author of This Is Going to Hurt;"Black puts a human and profoundly humane face on what it's like to be a doctor."-Forbes;"Benjamin Black has the most amazing gift for telling a story. I could not put the book down."-Victoria Macdonald, Channel 4 News;"A brilliant, painful and honest book. Read it."-Mary Harper, Africa Editor at the BBC;"Dedicated and passionate."-The Lancet Infectious Diseases;"Belly Woman is a must-read for our times. It is riveting, illuminating and humbling.'-Aminatta Forna, author of The Memory of Love and The Devil That Danced on the Water;"This is an inspirational story of compassion and dedication in the face of a brutal epidemic, and Benjamin Black is the one to tell it."-Leah Hazard, author of Hard Pushed: A Midwife's Story;"I was gripped from the first page. May we all be humbled by this book."-Anna Kent, author of Frontline Midwife;"Brave, moving, and vital. A unique account of battling the Ebola outbreak while providing maternity care in Sierra Leone, and of the incredible women, families, and health workers Dr Black encountered. Read it."-Damien Brown, author of Band-Aid for A Broken Leg


Awards
Short-listed for Moore Prize for human rights writing 2023.



Book Information
ISBN 9781911107576
Author Benjamin Black
Format Paperback
Page Count 300
Imprint Neem Tree Press Limited
Publisher Neem Tree Press Limited