Accra, April 7, GNA - Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), on Tuesday paid tribute to all health workers who respond when emergencies strike and called for greater attention to be paid to the needs of women and their right to sexual and reproductive health. "Today, on World Health Day, UNFPA joins the World Health Organization (WHO) in drawing attention to the safety of health facilities and the readiness of health workers to treat people in emergencies."

This was contained in a statement issued by UNPFA and copied to the Ghana News Agency to mark the World Health Day under the theme: "Save Lives: Make Hospitals Safe in Emergencies." She said there was the need to draw particular attention to the needs of pregnant women since they feared for their own health and that of their babies when disaster struck and they needed the support of skilled health workers. "In any setting, one in five women of childbearing age is likely to be pregnant, and 15 per cent of pregnant women will experience life-threatening complications during delivery. When medical facilities are damaged or wiped out by disasters or conflict, women are forced to give birth without the essentials for safe delivery," the statement said.

It said the lack of medical support was often compounded by additional risk factors that threatened the health of women and babies. Such risks included trauma, malnutrition or disease, and exposure to violence. "Pregnant women in emergency situations could experience premature labour, miscarriage, stillbirth and the negative effects of violence." UNFPA, the statement said, responded to emergencies by sending health supplies and equipment to ensure clean and safe childbirth, and to support medical interventions where necessary.

UNFPA also provides training for health workers and midwives to make sure women receive the care they need during all phases of pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum care.

"We also work with the WHO and others to repair and restock maternal health clinics and hospital wards," the statement said.