Celebrating Prof. Sai, the grandfather of maternal health

The Maternal Health Channel pays a special tribute to Prof. Fred Sai, the 'grandfather of maternal health' this week on GTV Thursday 8pm and TV3 Friday 8.30pm.

Prof. Fred Sai said: “I am old, but I still have a voice. To the extent that my little heart will keep ticking and supporting that voice, my voice and heart are with this cause.”

Prof. Sai is an icon and a pillar of thoughts and wisdom in the history of healthcare in Ghana. He is also renowned internationally for his critical contributions to family and maternal health.

He was born in Accra in the 1920s, and trained in medicine at the Universities of London, Edinburgh and Harvard. He has received many awards for his efforts, including the United Nations Population Award in 1993.

Throughout his working life, Prof. Sai has brought dedication, passion and wisdom to the field of reproductive health that has often been little understood or appreciated.

In this programme, he talks candidly about the policy gaps that are stalling progressive family planning and maternal health.

“Women are dying in childbirth by the hundreds - not because the technology for saving them is not available, but because the will, the support, the enthusiasm, the understanding that this is the humane thing to do, the human thing to do, is not there. When you see women dying from preventable and manageable causes, you must do something," he said.

We are so proud to be celebrating the works of one of Ghana?s greatest health icons, because to know our heroes and heroines is to know ourselves; our values, our achievements, our collective history, who we are, and what makes us great. Acknowledging our heroes is an acknowledgement of who we are – our history, heritage and culture and critically what it will take for us to do what is right to achieve the best for ourselves and our country.

'Prof. Sai Speaks', GTV Thursday 8pm and TV3 Friday 8.30pm.