E/R makes strides in effort to reduce maternal deaths

Eastern Region is making strong strides in its effort to reduce maternal and child mortality through the adoption of an all-inclusive health care strategy dubbed, ‘PICCAM’.

PICCAM - an acronym for passion, innovation, commitment, compassion and accountability for maternal and neonatal health, focuses on tackling preventable deaths among mothers and children.

Dr. Charity Sarpong, the Regional Health Director, said the progress had been quite significant - with maternal deaths dropping to 103 per 100,000 live births, last year, compared with the 2014’s figure of 192.

Speaking at the annual health performance review meeting in Koforidua, held under the theme “Enhancing maternal and new born survival – sustaining PICCAM”, she said everything would be done to keep the momentum.

The goal is to ensure that no pregnant woman dies from any cause related or aggravated by the pregnancy and its management.

Dr. Sarpong noted that despite the gains by way of improvement in maternal and child health, supervised delivery was on the decline, something that gave cause for concern.

The region recorded 66,672 supervised deliveries in year 2014 as against the 2015 total of 60,748.

She said they were determined to go to all lengths to identify factors responsible for this, and take urgent and appropriate measures to deal with them.

Ms. Mavis Frimpong, the Eastern Regional Minister-designate, applauded the health professionals for the good job they were doing and encouraged them to continue to work hard and with passion to improve the quality of health care to the people.

The strategy to tackle maternal and neonatal deaths through multi-stakeholder approach, was commendable, she added.

The meeting was used to discuss a wide range of issues including adolescent health, teenage pregnancy and general health services.