Eastern Region aims to reduce maternal mortality

The Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC), in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, on Friday launched the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) five Accelerated Framework in the region.

The purpose of the Accelerated Framework is to redouble efforts to overcome the bottlenecks in implementing interventions that have worked in reducing maternal mortality rate in the region and in the country as a whole.

Launching the Framework in Koforidua, Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso, Eastern Regional Minister, said it was worrisome to lose over 100 women every year in child delivery and said it had been instituted at the right time to help achieve the MDG-5.

She said the Framework would help to overcome the negative socio-cultural barriers that impeded progress in reducing maternal mortality in the region.

Ms Ntoso emphasized that the government had shown great commitment to ensuring reduction of maternal mortality in the country by providing free delivery coverage, free antenatal and postnatal care as well as distributing mosquito nets to prevent malaria in pregnancy.

She urged community leaders to reciprocate the government’s efforts by negotiating with transport operators and owners in their respective areas to offer swift assistance in time of emergencies to enable women in labour to access medical care early.

The Regional Minister expressed the hope that the Framework would enhance commitment by stakeholders and partners to create awareness on maternal health and reduce maternal mortality in the region.

Dr McDamien Dedzo, Regional Health Director, underscored the need for collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, including organizations, to assist the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to reduce maternal mortality.

“It is an uphill task that is too heavy for the Ghana Health Service alone to handle, we need the support of all to pursue this course together,” he said.

Nana Ako Aba II, Gyasehema of Amonorkrom, who chaired the function, said the role of husbands in accelerating the framework of the MDG-5 was crucial and, therefore, urged them to take active part in achieving that goal.

Source: GNA