109 maternal deaths recorded in BA in 2012

The Brong Ahafo Region recorded 109 maternal deaths between January to November 2012. This is according to the Brong-Ahafo Regional Deputy Director of Public Health Service, Dr. Emmanuel Tinkorang.

This means 19 more deaths compared to the same period in 2011 and Dr. Emmanuel Tinkorang is therefore calling for a concerted effort to save pregnant women and children in the Region and the nation as a whole.

Dr Tinkorang made the observation at a regional forum of Universal Healthcare organised by the Regional Branch of the Ghana Coalition of non-governmental organisations in Health in Sunyani.

He revealed that major causes of maternal death are bleeding, unsafe abortion, hypertension, obstruct labour and infection.

Dr. Tinkorang highlighted challenges in poor people accessing healthcare and enabled the public to demand universal access to health.

“It is unfortunate for a woman to die through delivery as a result of maternal complication,” he said.

Dr Tinkorang noted that the major causes of maternal death are preventable and called on pregnant women to attend antenatal on time to avoid complications during delivery.

He said promoting Community Based Health Planning Services would help minimize the mortality rate since most deaths usually occur as a result of delay in seeking care; reaching health centres and receiving appropriate care.

Dr Tinkorang pointed out that health is a basic fundamental human right and there could be no development in any country without good healthcare delivery.

He said the socio-economic status of every nation depends on the health of its people hence the need for health to be accessible, affordable and acceptable to all.