Sustainable Strategies Key To Improving Child Survival Rate-Dr. Kofi Issah 


Quality of care for mothers and new-borns took centre stage at the opening of a 2- day Inter-Regional Stakeholders Review Meeting on Newborn Care in Bolgatanga. 

The event was to take stock of the implementation of the National Newborn Strategy and Action Plan with emphasis on Water Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, as well as the provision quality health services for improving newborn survival. 

In his welcome address, the Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Kofi Issah, revealed that the three Northern Regions with its limited resources have worked to ensure the effective implementation of donor funded projects on newborn care. 

He said though a lot had been achieved in that direction, there was still the need for sustainable strategies with the involvement of communities and implementing partners to improve survival rate.   

Isaac Asare reports

Ghana is a signatory to a number of conventions targeted at achieving a Universal Health Coverage which is embedded in the SDGs. 

However, the global attention had been on access, equity, and quality of care for all, particularly mothers and newborns.  

Over the years, the country had chalked some modest gains in reducing Under-five mortality but neonatal mortality appeared to be slower. 

For instance, while child mortality had declined by 2.9 percent per year in the last decade, neonatal mortality on the other hand had decreased by only 1.5 percent per year in sub-Saharan Africa of which Ghana is no exception. 

The evidence for this disparity is not far-fetched as data from the World Bank and the WHO had proven that most deliveries are attended to by health professionals in low -income countries. 

To achieve best results, the country took steps to implement the 4-year National Newborn Strategy and Action plan in 2014. 

The review meeting was to therefore take stock of the plan and as well share best practices in the implementation of regional newborn strategies with focus on the Mother Baby Friendly Health Initiative, MBFHI.  

Opening the function, the Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Kofi Issah, underlined the importance of stakeholder involvement and quality of care in the implementation of strategies to enhance survival rate.

Dr. Kofi Issah disclosed that in the execution of donor funded projects, the three Northern Regions have produced appreciable results, having chalked successes in the area of skilled delivery and child survival. 

Dr. Issah however, called on health professionals to sustain the gains made and also act professionally for improved health outcomes.

In a brief remark, a representative of  UNICEF Dr Priscilla Wobil observed that the country’s health sector was faced with dwindling donor support and as a measure to wean itself  from donor funding agencies within the country must be identified to assist in that regard. 

The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Frank Fuseini Adongo who represented as the guest speaker said announced government’s intention to enhance antenatal care coverage while committing resources to put up new health facilities through the concept of Private Public Partnership to augment the provision of healthcare infrastructure. 

There were solidarity messages from partners and other NGOs in health partners including KOICA and RISE-GHANA. 

The review meeting was on the theme: @Quality Care for Our Babies; A Solution for Every Newborn Everywhere.
 
Representatives of Regional Health Directorates in the Northern and Upper West Regions were in attendance. 


GBC