Eastern Region Records 62 Maternal Death Between January September ~ R.D Describs As “Disturbing”

The Eastern Regional Director of Health Dr. Winfred Ofosu has disclosed that Eastern region has recorded 62 maternal deaths just between January September this year. which are all institutional deaths even though there could be other community related maternal deaths but was not captured.

The situation he described as disturbing was from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or it management, but not from accident or incidental cause.

He highlighted that maternal mortality ratio remains very high in developing country of which Ghana is not exception than developed countries saying almost 99% of maternal deaths which occurs in developing countries, half of the percentage occurs in the sub- saharan Africa.

He made the disclosure during a press briefing in Koforidua to brief the media on the status of maternal mortalities in the region in only this region.

Dr. Winfred further revealed that most maternal deaths occur in the rural area as compare to the urban area , this he said is largely attributed to the high prevalence of the unskilled birth attendance of about 74% in the urban areas as compare to 43% in the rural areas.

According Dr. Winfred Ofosu, there are critical factors which contributes to maternal mortality in Ghana and such factors could be attributed to refusal of referrals to higher levels , refusal of surgical interventions, visiting herbalist or prayer camps for concoctions, inadequate ambulances vehicles, illegal abortions , late arrival to health facilities etc.

Therefore, he warn pregnant women to refrain from visiting Traditional Health Attendants (TBA) during the period of delivery since the most critical time of pregnancy is during delivery hence he urged pregnant women to avail themselves at a health facility during delivery period.

Meanwhile, Dr. John Ekow Otoo who is the Deputy Director in charge of Public Health in the Eastern region urged parents to make their children available to any health centre in the region to be vaccinated with the polio vaccines to protect the children from the polio virus infections, he said this is an effort to eradicate the polio virus in Ghana.

He also urged and encouraged all individuals who have still not taking the covid-19 vaccines to do so since more vaccines are available and are safe for everybody.