Displaced Bawku pregnant woman dies in Dormaa Ahenkro

Dormaa-Ahenkro (B/A), June 10, GNA - A 40-year-old pregnant woman from Bawku who fled because of the conflict to perch with a friend at Sefwi-Yawmatwa in the Western Region, died on Tuesday shortly after giving birth to twins.

The woman, who is identified only as Memuna, died at the Presbyterian Hospital in Dormaa Ahenkro having gone through stress and haemorrhage conditions triggered by undue delay before arriving at the hospital, hospital authorities explained.

"When Memuna came after the operation to take the babies, she threw both arms in despair, apparently showing her displeasure about the additional mouths to feed", a nurse told the Ghana News Agency. Meanwhile, the twins through the initiative of the hospital authorities and an appeal for fund launched by Dormaa Community FM radio have been transferred to the Presbyterian Children's Home at Donkorkrom in Afram Plains of the Eastern Region.

Reverend Mavis Hannah Yeboah, Chaplain of the hospital told the GNA that, Memuna was brought to the hospital very weak and frail. She said Memuna's friend and care-giver, Ajara, told the mid-wife the deceased was initially very reluctant to come to the hospital as she had no money to pay the bills.

"Her complications were also quite difficult for the hospital management as she had no ante-natal history", the Chaplain added. Rev. Mavis said Ajara told the story of how Memuna, who was five months pregnant, was compelled to flee Bawku to seek refuge with her at Yawmatwa in the Western Region four months ago.

Ajara said Memuna's husband, a driver, with whom she had three other children, left his home at Bawku for work during the conflict and never returned.

All attempts by the deceased to reach the husband on phone proved futile and this compelled Memuna to leave two of their kids with a relative in Bawku, before fleeing the place, she added. Ajara confirmed that Memuna's labour was characterized by excessive bleeding before she was rushed to a clinic at Yawmatwa where she received first aid.

The next day, she said, Memuna's condition worsened but she refused to be taken to the hospital since she had neither the health insurance card nor cash to pay the hospital bill.

Ajara defied her resistance and with the help of some residents in the community brought her to the Dormaa hospital where she died. Meanwhile, Mr. Fred Effah Yeboah, General Manager of the hospital expressed gratitude to the people of Dormaa for their swift response to the appeal for funds that made it possible for the twins to be transported to Donkorkrom.