WHO to support Ghana to contain maternal mortality

Koforidua, March 24, GNA - The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday pledged its support to Ghana to contain the maternal mortality situation.

WHO has therefore indicated its support in the areas of implementation of strategies and research into use of condoms as a strategy in reducing maternal death.

Dr Fleischer Djoleto, a representative of WHO, said this at the opening of the annual review of the Family Health Division of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in Koforidua.

Dr Djoleto said maternal mortality in Ghana remained a major concern for WHO despite existence of many strategies. He said there was the need to intensify family planning strategies and research into how best strategies could reach the targeted people. The review meeting on the theme "Family Health Care Delivery Strengthening Linkages for Increased output" is being attended by directors of public heath, nutrition, nursing and the developing and implementing partners.

Dr Gloria Quansah Asare, Director of Family Health Division, said maternal mortality issues had been deliberated on on many health platforms and family planning, skilled attendance and comprehensive abortion care were identified as strategies to address the issue.

According to Dr Asare, haemorrhage, pre eclampsia and complications of unsafe abortion still prevailed among the causes. In a speech read on his behalf the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, said Ghana, like most African countries, was determined to improve on the health status of the people as a way of fulfilling one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He said the government had adopted proven health intervention that would reduce morbidity and mortally and improve the general health of the family.

Mr Ofosu Ampofo called on the media to devote more time to support the health development agenda of the nation. "The health sector has made a lot of strides and you can promote their work and help educate the general public on the importance of early ante-natal clinic attendance, the need to prepare adequately for delivery as well as the advantage of having a skilled attendant to conduct delivery", he said.