Bolgatanga (UER), Oct. 5, GNA - Hajia Marie Issaka, Midwife of the Bongo Health Centre and a member of the Federation of Muslim women in Ghana (FOMWAG) has been named Midwife Champion of the year. Her award followed her nomination by the United Nations Population Fund as the best Midwife.

Hajia Issaka who received her award, a trophy and an undisclosed amount of money, in the US, on Monday presented her prize to the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo in Bolgatanga in the company of FOMWAG members.

Hajia Issaka, who has been working in the valley areas of Zoko and Anafobiisi in the Bongo District, said the award could not have come without her dedication to work and innovativeness. She said through her hard work, maternal and child deaths reduced in the valley zones where she worked, saying no babies died in all the 88 deliveries she made in 2003, 260 deliveries in 2004 and 470 babies in 2005.

Hajia Issaka said this was made possible through the virgin clubs she formed in the district, to educate young women on reproductive health as high illiteracy level, ignorance, early marriages and high maternal Child mortality was prevalent in the area.

She said most women prefer to deliver at home because they receive warm bath and hot dishes immediately after giving birth. This she said motivated her to introduce professional care in the clinics as well as the good treatment the women get at home. Hajia Issaka said this helped to increase patronage of the health facilities.

She advised young nurses to be dedicated to their work and avail themselves at all time to serve the people. Hajia Shetu Tahiru, President of the Regional Branch of FOMWAG was full of praise for the award winner and said the objective of the association is to make positive impact on national matters- religious and secular, with the view to safeguarding the interest of Islam and to foster unity and respect in the society in order to pave the way for development.

Mr Woyongo who congratulated the award winner said the region is facing acute shortage of nurses and doctors and commended the few personnel who are working daily to save lives in the area. He urged FOMWAG to inspire Muslim women to take advantage of the forthcoming district assembly elections to correct the negative tendencies that affect them.