Plan Ghana ends Women and Children’s Health project

The Women and Their Children’s Health (WATCH) project, initiated by Plan Ghana, a child-centred non-governmental organisation, has ended.

The three and half year community-based health intervention project was aimed at saving the lives of mothers, newborns, and children under five, with funding from the Canadian Government.

The overall goal of the project was to improve maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) in underserved populations in six districts, namely the Akuapem North, Upper Manya Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo Districts of the Eastern Region, and Hohoe, South Tongu and Kadjebi Districts in the Volta Region.

Mr Prem Shukla, Country Director of Plan Ghana, in his remarks at the closing ceremony in Koforidua, said there was the need for total commitment of the communities, leadership, families and individuals to carry on the best practices of the project now that it had come to an end.

He said the WATCH project achieved a 12.8 per cent increase in the number of women who received at least four ante-natal care visits with a professional healthcare worker during pregnancy.

It also led to an increase from 87.2 per cent to 91.4 per cent in mothers and babies, who received postnatal care within three days of childbirth.

There was a rise from 73.4 per cent to 80.1 in the number of live births attended to by skilled personnel and a 42.3 per cent increase in the number of children who were vaccinated against measles.

The Country Director said the successes were chalked through the use of demand and supply approach, committed partnership with communities, the Ghana Health Service, IDEC Ghana, Prolink Organization, Philip Foundation Programme and the traditional authorities.

During the implementation period, the project helped to strengthen the health system and enhance capacity to improve the quality of health services.

He said the WATCH project worked with 120 communities across the Eastern and Volta Regions to increase the use of preventive and responsive practices in MNCH by community members, especially women and their male family members.

“The supply side seeks to strengthen the health care delivery system to reduce maternal, neonatal and child mortality by supporting 83 health facilities; made up of 12 referral centres, 48 CHPS compounds and 23 other facilities with basic equipment,” he said.

“The project also enhanced the capacity of 356 health workers in their knowledge and skills in Safe Motherhood, Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care, Community integrated Management of Neonatal and Child illness,” he added.

Dr Sophie Winful of the Eastern Regional Health Directorate said the gains of the project would be sustained.

Ms Joan Eleeza of the Volta Regional Health Directorate expressed her gratitude to Plan Ghana for the project; which was a cost effective intervention.

Mr Joseph Kwabena Akwetey, a farmer of Sisiamang Yiti, told the GNA that the project had empowered the community to ensure the good health of women and children.