The Greater-Accra Regional Health Directorate on Friday held its first ever anaesthetics forum in Accra aimed at re-positioning anaesthesia as part of efforts to improve maternal and new-born survival.

The objective of the forum was to help anaesthetists identify and use their strength and opportunities to enable them focus on the positives and to celebrate their successes.

Dr. Linda A. Vanotoo, Regional Director of Health Service, in her presentation, observed that anaesthetists need to respond to their professional and civic duties for the good of the nation.

She advised them to uphold the gathering of accurate information on progress during operation and accurate documentation of all findings.

The Regional Director urged them to maintain links between clinical and public health, in a continuum manner, so as to improve anaesthesia services.

She said in critical situations, there is the need for them to seek for the support of senior and more experienced colleagues.

Dr. Vanotoo disclosed that, within the first quarter of this year, the Region recorded 56 maternal deaths and 502 stillbirths.

She warned nurses and non-medical staff at referral facilities to desist from turning away patients in the name of the “no bed syndrome.”

She said it was only a medical doctor who could turn away a patient, and that any other staff who did that would be dealt with severely, declaring further that the “no bed syndrome” in the region must stop.

Dr. Vanotoo encouraged health professionals to intensify their efforts towards the attainment of Millennium Development Goals Four and Five.

She said an emergency call centre would soon be established in the region so that in the matter of referral cases, calls could be made to ascertain the availability of space before moving the patient.

She said the region was being zoned for obstetric care support by assigned specialists.

The Regional Director urged health administrators to strengthen health care systems and to build the capacity of staff to ensure efficiency in maternal and new-birth health service delivery.

Dr. Vanotoo further urged health professionals to be innovative and practical at all levels, and to develop a road map for their facilities.

Dr. Cynthia Bannerman, Deputy Director of Institutional Cares Division of the Ghana Health Service, urged health professionals to dedicate their time to the well being of patients.

The forum brought together over 50 anaesthetists in the region.

Dr. Michael Quaye, Specialist Regional Coordinator, told the Ghana News Agency that the event was a very remarkable one, adding that one would soon be organised for anaesthetists nurses.

He also commended the Regional Director for coming out with such a laudable initiative.

Dr. Quaye observed that the forum had enabled them share their experiences and to brainstorm on some of the challenges they were facing in health care delivery and the way forward.