Government strategizing to reduce maternal mortality rates-Dr Sory

Hohoe, April 30, GNA - Government in collaboration with major actors, including development partners, is drawing an action-oriented strategy to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.

Dr Ellias Sory, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, who spoke at the national launch of the International Day of the Midwife at Hohoe, said in line with this, legal framework governing medical training in the country was being reviewed.

He said the Nursing and Midwifery Act, the Medical and Dental Act as well as the Pharmacy Law which would be reviewed to meet national and international targets.

Dr Sory said Sri Lanka has been recognised globally for stemming maternal and infant mortality based on the capacity of professionals and not infrastructure.

"In the face of inadequate facilities highly trained professionals were equitably deployed at the service of the people in that country." Dr Sory said it was high time health professional were produced for the generality of the Ghanaian and not for the ministry, GHS or professional bodies.

He appealed to the Nursing and Midwifery Council to come on board with cutting edge strategies for equity performance and efficiency. Dr Benjamin Kumbour, the Minister of Health, said in a speech read for him that he was optimistic that the properly trained, empowered and supported midwife held the key towards a cost effective and high pathway to maternal and new born health.

He assured of government's commitment in addressing the challenges, in tandem with its policy of investing in people and called for strong linkages among stakeholders including chiefs, opinion leaders and civil society groups towards arresting the high ratios.

Dr Kumbour said 2008 estimates pegged the country's maternal mortality ration at 415 per 100,000 live births.

Madam Mariama Sumani, a representative of the Nursing and Midwife Council of Ghana, said a yet to be launched professional code of conduct to guide practitioners has been promulgated and targeted at reducing maternal mortality by 75 percent by 2015.

Madam Frederica Hanson, a representative of the UNFPA, said her outfit has prioritized reduction in maternal mortality ratios and support specific save motherhood interventions in approximately 90 countries. Togbega Gabusu, the Paramount Chief of the Gbi Traditional Area and board chairman of the Hohoe Midwifery School, stressed the need to relax the laws establishing medical training institutions and appealed to stakeholders to invest in capacity and infrastructure. 30 April 10