Wa, Sept. 12, GNA - Health authorities in the Upper West Region are marshalling resources and sharing skills and experiences to adopt the best practices to improve the maternal health in the communities. The region recorded 23 maternal deaths in the half year, as a result of direct or indirect causes as against nine in 2008, a situation, Dr. Alexis Nang-Beifubah described as unacceptable and unfortunate.

He said it was worrying if women in their attempt to propagate the human race died as a result. A day's stakeholders meeting was held in Wa with doctors, unit heads, district health directors, midwives and other paramedics to discuss maternal health issues and come out with practicable solutions to address the challenges. An African woman has one of her legs in the grave as it is still risky to give birth in Africa, Dr. Nang-Beifubah pointed out. The health authorities said they were concerned about the 23 maternal deaths and urged health workers and community members, especially husbands to play their roles appropriately to help reduce maternal deaths

Dr. Nang-Beifubah said while a person dies, he or she is accounted as one, in the case of maternal deaths, "but two people are always involved" and all must take that into consideration, as such deaths affect a larger society. Dr. Opoku Fofie, a gynaecologist at the Regional Hospital in Wa, said health workers and community members have the power to control maternal deaths. He urged government and community members to work towards improving socio-economic, human rights and gender inequality issues, which in many cases caused or aggravated some maternal deaths in the communities. He said the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) called for improved maternal health and the reduction of maternal mortality ratio by 85 per cent by 2010 and 95 per cent by 2015.

Dr. Fofie said harmful socio-cultural practices, lack of knowledge about pregnancy and its implications, inadequate resources, distance to health facilities and lack of means of transport as well as personnel were some of the causes contributing to maternal deaths in the region. "Delay in taking decision to seek care, delay in reaching health facilities and delay in receiving adequate treatment are also factors and we need to work hard to address these challenges to enable us to reduce maternal deaths", Dr. Fofie added.

Dr. Fofie expressed his worries about the emergence of liver disorders among some pregnant women in the Jirapa District. Some analysis carried out on them, were found not to be any of the hepatitis. He mentioned septicaemia as number one killer among pregnant women, especially those who try to deliver at home and also report late to hospitals and other health facilities. 12 Sept. 09