Volta Region has huge midwives deficit - Regional Health Director

There is a huge deficit in midwives, registered general nursing and physician assistants in the Volta Region, Dr. Joseph Teye Nuertey, Regional Director of Health Services said on Thursday.

The situation has given rise to increasing maternal deaths, early teen pregnancies and other health problems

Dr. Nuertey was speaking at the 2012 half year review of the Service in Ho.

“Maternal deaths in the Region have gone up from 35 in the first half of 2011 to 44 in the first half of 2012. Skill delivery is still low despite some gains made during the first half of the year,” he noted.

He said this was worrying, though hopeful that the establishment of a Post Basic Midwifery Training School at Kete Krachi in the Krachi West District would improve the situation.

Dr. Nuertey said already, a delegation from Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) had done feasibility studies at health facilities in Ketu North, Ketu South, Keta and Hohoe Midwifery Schools in an effort to reduce maternal and child mortality in the Region.

He expressed worry about poor supervision and monitoring at all levels and charged medical superintendents to intensify supervision to enhance performance.

“I will not hesitate to recommend sanctions if we detect that a Municipal/District Director is not performing as expected,” Dr. Nuertey stated.