Abortions high in Volta Region

Spontaneous abortion due to stress, infections and poor nutrition is on the increase in Volta Region, Ms Joan Eleeza, a public health nurse at the Regional Directorate of health said in Ho on Wednesday.

Spontaneous abortion is described as self-induced or natural abortion.

At a media briefing Ms Eleeza said the region recorded 2504 such abortions in 2014 up from 2112 in 2013, describing the trend as “worrying”.

The workshop which focused on Human Rights Based Approach to maternal and child health reporting was organised by Care Net Ghana, a health non-governmental organisation.

Ms Eleeza said it is unfortunate that some pregnant women in their last trimester visit their farms regularly and perform hazardous work and appealed to their spouses to support them at that stage.

She also advised families to ensure that pregnant women eat well and given the best part of the meal.

Ms Victoria Kpelly, Deputy Director, Nursing Services, Ho Municipal Health Directorate said men have very important roles to play in ensuring the rights and safety of pregnant women and urged them to rise to the task.

She said poverty is a major cause of maternal and child mortality and called for support from families of pregnant women.

Dr Anthony Ashinyo, Akatsi North District Director of Ghana Health Services advised pregnant women to avoid going to health facilities late, because delay in reaching medical centres has dire consequences.

He also cautioned health workers against playing with their mobile phones instead of attending to patients, reminding them of the rights of the patient to healthcare.

“Maternal deaths in this country are needless so we must stop “watsapping and facebooking” whilst patients and pregnant women need our help,” Dr Ashinyo stated.

Mr Daniel Mensah, a Principal Investigator, Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice, urged journalists to champion the rights of pregnant women and children to health.

Mr Patrick Ahumah-Ocansey, Executive Director of Care Net Ghana, said maternal and child healthcare is the responsibility of everyone and charged government to make quality healthcare accessible to all.

He asked metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to be proactive and set standards for healthcare delivery in their areas.

Mr Ahumah-Ocansey announced an award package for journalists in the region to whip up interest in maternal and child healthcare reporting.