Stakeholders called to support Maternal and Child Healthcare

The Volta Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service has called for support from stakeholders in the sector to improve maternal and child healthcare.

Current statistics indicate that averagely 50 percent of newborn deaths occur within 24 hours of delivery and 75 percent in the first week.

The region has so far recorded 47 maternal deaths and 481 still births this year.

The figures are likely to increase as inadequate health workers, and facilities, poverty and illiteracy and other factors persist in deprived communities.

This was revealed in a speech read on behalf of the Volta Regional Director of Health Service, Dr. Joseph Teye Nuertey at a training programme for journalists in Hohoe.

The Director of the Hohoe Municipal Health Service, Dr. Felix Doe said, hypertension disorders, anaemia and complications of unsafe abortions are the main causes of maternal and neo-natal mortality.

He noted that, the Ministry of Health has rolled out strategies to train Traditional Birth Attendants in rural communities since pregnant women in such areas prefer their services.

The Vice Dean of the Hohoe Campus of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dr. Francis Zotor urged the media to create public awareness on policies of maternal healthcare delivery.

Source: GBC