Despite communications sent by the Ministry of Health stating that live birth certificates must be given free of charge, Amnesty International has spoken to a number of health professionals who regard imposing fines and denying children their live birth certificates for home births as a means of encouraging women to go to the centres. However, it was clear that the effect of the fines was just the opposite. Amnesty International is calling on the government to take urgent steps to address obstacles which prevent poor and marginalized communities from accessing health services.
