Reducing maternal, child mortality remains govt top priority – Deputy Health Minister
Reducing maternal and child mortality in the country remains a top priority for government, the Deputy Minister of Health, Mrs Tina Naa Ayeley has assured.
“Maternal health as we may know is at the heart of our effort, we recognise the fundamental right of every woman to access quality and equitable healthcare during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period,” she added.
The deputy minister was speaking at the opening of the 4th National Maternal Child Health and Nutrition Conference in Accra, yesterday under the theme; ‘Strengthening service delivery for quality and accessible Reproductive Maternal Newborn, Child, Adolescent and Nutrition (RMNCAH&N).’
The three-day conference sought to engage stakeholders and address critical issues related to maternal, child health and nutrition.
It also aimed at providing stakeholders the opportunity to evaluate the impact of their work in contributing to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).
The occasion brought together about 100 representatives from healthcare institutions including the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologist of Ghana, Pediatric Society of Ghana, Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association and Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Addressing the participants at the conference yesterday, the Deputy Minister of Health, Mrs Tina Naa Ayeley Mensah said the ministry would collaborate with agencies including the Ghana Health Service to continue to scale up proven interventions that would reduce maternal mortality rates, enhance comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care for all women.
The Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye stated that the meeting would offer them the opportunity to identify, discuss and promote strategies to enhance service delivery, improve the quality of care, and ensure that healthcare services reach those who need them most, regardless of their geographical location or socioeconomic status.
The Country Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Francis Chisaka Kasolo who was represented by Dr Sofonias Asrat, Coordinator, Health System of WHO, said Maternal Mortality Ration in Ghana decreased to 244 maternal deaths per 100,000 livebirths in 2019.
Dr Asrat said in Ghana, according to the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey indicator report, nearly all women (98 per cent) reported receiving antenatal care from a skilled provider for their most recent delivery and 88 per cent of women had four or more antenatal clinic visit for their most recent delivery.
Dr Asrat global child mortality rates show significant challenges remain in the year 2021, adding that almost 1.9 million babies were stillborn at 28 weeks or more of gestation with a global stillbirth rate of 13.9 still births per 1000 total births.
The Director General of the National Development Planning Commission, Dr Kodjo Esseim Mensah Abrampa noted that to be able to achieve the SDG goals, it was important to be innovate and be prepared for it.
He encouraged health practitioners to apply modern technology in the discharge of their duties.
BY ANITA NYARKOYIRENKYI & EMMANUELLA AKIMBI
