Source: The Chronicle
With less than three years to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) target for improved maternal health, the maternal death ratio in the Ashanti Region currently stands at 315 per 100,000 live births, against the 185 per 100,000 live births target set for achievement under MDG-5 by 2015. Teenage pregnancy is said to be on the increase, from 9.8% in 2011, to 12.4% in 2012 in the region, while the maternal mortality ratio increased from 190 in 2010 to 211 in 2011 per 100,000 live births, including maternal deaths recorded by the Ghana Health Service at the teaching hospitals, according to reports on a joint monitoring and health sector survey in national institutions.

The maternal mortality rate for the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) reportedly increased by 51.4%, with an increasing change of 111 maternal deaths in 2010 to 152 in 2011, representing 36.9%.

KATH is on record to have registered 14,014 and 12,679 respectively, with a change of 9.5% in the case of live births, indicating an increase of over 50% in maternal mortality, from 2010 to 2011.

The Ashanti Region is said to be leading, as far as maternal deaths in Ghana are concerned.

The Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Samuel Yaw Adusei, has raised serious concern and called for effective collaboration among all stakeholders and interest groups to promote safe motherhood.

According to him, the high rate of maternal deaths was a serious challenge to the health care delivery system, and stressed the need for concerted efforts to reverse the trend, because "there is no justification why mothers should lose their lives at delivery."

The occasion was while delivering a keynote address at the 4th Regional Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) health forum, organised last week Thursday by the Ashanti Regional branch of the 'Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health' (GCNH), which discussed maternal health issues in Kumasi under the theme: "Maternal health issues, the challenges in attaining reproductive health MDG indicators in Ashanti Region - the concern for all stakeholders."

Mr. Adusei said individual and collective efforts were required to create the needed awareness and encourage pregnant women to attend ante-natal clinic.

They should additionally be discouraged from the use of herbal concoctions, since that could lead to complications.

He said the government was committed to providing regional hospitals and health facilities in all the districts to promote accessibility to health care services by the people.

Mr. Adusei disclosed that plans were under way to establish a 500-bed military hospital at Sepease, near Kumasi, to supplement health delivery by KATH.

The Deputy Minister explained the government's determination to ensure effective healthcare delivery in the various policies, some of which, he mentioned, as the free maternal care policy, National Ambulance Service, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and free package for pregnant women among others implemented over the years to improve maternal health.

He noted that the MDG project was an answer to most societal challenges, and urged the media not to hype political issues at the expense of health issues.

Dr. Akosua Darkwa of the Regional Public Health Directorate mentioned eclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy) and haemorrhage during child birth, as the leading cause of deaths among women during delivery.

She said delays, as a result of ignorance of the need to access health care, delays in accessing and receiving health care by pregnant women, and delay in receiving care at the health facilities were the reasons for increased maternal deaths.

Dr. Darkwah also mentioned inadequate number of properly trained midwives and nurses, lack of emergency services and equipment, especially at the district level, and harmful traditional practices are some of the challenges fuelling maternal deaths in the region.

Dr. Darkwa said it was important to train more midwives and other health care professionals to provide services to pregnant women to improve the situation.

Dr. Kwasi Yeboah-Awudzi, Kumasi Metropolitan Director of Ghana Health Services (GHS), warned against illegal abortions, saying abortion was not the best option for preventing pregnancy.

He lamented on the 15% coverage of family planning, and advised women to accept family planning methods to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

The Metro Health Director announced that the GHS was providing comprehensive abortion care at six health facilities in the Kumasi metropolis at nominal fees to help reduce the menace of abortion.

These are KATH, Manhyia Polyclinic, Suntreso Government Hospital, Kumasi South Government Hospital at Chirapatre, Children's Welfare Clinic at Adum in Kumasi, and the Tafo Government Hospital.

He said besides discouraging abortion as a crime, the move was to provide assistance for genuine cases of the need for safe abortion.

Mr. Samuel Orraca-Tetteh, Regional Chairman of GCNH, called on stakeholders for the successful implementation of Millennium Accountability Fund (MAF) project for the attainment of MDG goals, especially those in health related areas.

He also called on the government to encourage the development of public-private concept to contribute towards attainment of projected health indicators for the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality rates towards MDG 4 and 5 goals.

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