Sunyani West Municipality Records Zero Maternal Deaths In Last 5 Years
The Sunyani West Municipality in the Bono Region has recorded zero cases of maternal mortality over the past five years.
This achievement aligns with one of the key objectives of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.
Daniel Konka, the Sunyani West Municipal Director of the Ghana Health Service, told Citi News in an interview on Thursday that the feat was possible due to some strategies put in place by the directorate.
“Maternal mortality is a high priority for the UN in terms of the SDGs, and the Bono Region is also battling with maternal deaths. However, in my municipality, Sunyani West, we have consistently been able to avoid maternal deaths for some time now due to certain strategies that management has put in place. One of these strategies is recognizing that we have more facilities in rural areas, and we needed to lobby the regional health directorate to post staff to these facilities so that they can provide antenatal, maternal, and child health services.”
“We also recognize that it is not enough to just get the staff and post them there; we also need to provide them with basic training so that they can identify danger signs during antenatal care and quickly refer patients.”
Mr Konka also said they met patients halfway by visiting them in their homes due to the distance.
“So our nurses intensified home visits where they are able to identify mothers that are pregnant and take them through antenatal care period and those that have danger signs immediately they refer them for further management. And then management having recognised that science, we visit them to support them by providing them with training in areas where we think they are lacking,” he added.
Dr. Prince Yeboah Agyemang, a Medical Superintendent at the Nsoatre Polyclinic, expressed his delight at the municipality’s success.
“Well-trained midwives at the health facility ensure that pregnant women receive excellent care and adhere to prescribed medication. The use of a dedicated phone to communicate with pregnant women has also contributed significantly to improving care and has led to five years without any recorded maternal mortality cases.”
The Nsoatre Polyclinic has adopted a home visit strategy, reaching out to rural communities to provide care for pregnant women who may have difficulties accessing antenatal care due to financial constraints. This proactive approach aims to prevent maternal deaths by ensuring that pregnant women receive the necessary support and medical attention.
The midwife in charge of the facility, Veronica Mmaa Asamannaba admonishes expectant mothers to adhere to what they are taught.
“We are very happy with the success we have chalked in the last five years. We are not going to be complacent but work hard to improve upon what we have done. I want appeal to our expectant mothers to also abide by the education we give them so that we will not record any maternal death at this facility.”
Cecilia Nkansah, a 30-year-old expectant mother who is expecting her second child, commended the health workers for their respectful treatment and valuable education provided during antenatal visits. She expressed confidence that she would deliver safely when her time comes.
“The midwives are good; they treat us with respect and educate us on what to do and what not to do. This has really helped me and I believe when my time is due, I will deliver safely.”
The Assembly Member for Boffourkrom Electoral Area, Daniel Awafo on his part commended the health directorate and stakeholders for their contribution in reducing maternal deaths.
“This is a great a joy for the municipality, my outfit will continue to support the health directorate in its activities such as sanitization programmes they always organized.”
Konka emphasizes the need for improved mobile connectivity in the municipality to enable people to access healthcare services using their National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards.
“Enhanced connectivity would facilitate smoother operations and enable residents to avail themselves of healthcare benefits more conveniently.”
Credit: Citi News
