300,000 pregnant women die

Available statistics indicate that about 300,000 women die during pregnancy and childbirth while about 3 million babies do not survive the first four weeks each year across the globe.

The majority of the largely preventable deaths take place in developing and crises-affected countries.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative, Babatunde Ahonsi made this known during the launch of the 25th International Day of the Midwife at the University of Cape Coast on Thursday.

Mr Ahonsi stated that Ghana has made significant progress in reducing maternal deaths through considerable investment in healthcare.

“Skilled delivery improved from 59 percent in 2008 to 74 percent in 2014 although the country’s maternal mortality ratio decreased from 760 to 319 /100,000 live birth between 1990 and 2015,” he added.

He said eight million women suffer pregnancy related disabilities on a yearly basis and two million babies do not survive beyond 24 hours.

He disclosed that in 2015, the total midwifery workforce in the country was 5,711 but there were 1,268 graduated staff who had not been posted, adding that if by 2030 the size of the midwifery workforce expands to equivalent of 13000 full-time midwifery service providers, Ghana would potentially meet the needs of an estimated 80 percent of its population.

The UNFPA representative reiterated the commitment of his outfit to work with global partners, government as well as Ghanaians to sharpen the skills of midwives.

Lordina Mahama, the First Lady, in a speech read on her behalf, added that government was committed to ensuring the enhancement of child and maternal healthcare in the country.

President of Ghana Registered Midwives Association, Joyce Jetuah appealed to government to assist dedicated midwives to set up their own maternity homes in the communities to augment domiciliary midwifery in the country.

Some hardworking midwives were awarded at the event.