Ellembelle MP calls for measures to address maternal mortality growth rate in Ghana

Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle Constituency in the Western Region, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah has called for drastic measures to reduce the growing rate of infant and maternal mortality in the country.

He observed, improving infant and maternal health through consistent policies would improve Ghana's health sector.

The MP made the call during an event held to improve maternal and new born survival on 15th February under the auspices of Ghana Health Service (GHS) in collaboration with Adamus Resources Limited Nzema Gold Mine.

"The prevention of infant and maternal mortality, one of the challenges facing our health sector is primarily the purpose for which we have all gathered here this morning. This aspect of our health sector, though relatively unpopular as compared to malaria, HIV, and other common diseases been reported at our health facilities, obviously holds the key to the survival of our nation due to the involvement of precious lives of mothers and our unborn children", he advised. he stated

Explaining why the campaign must be embraced by all Ghanaians, he said in many parts of our country including Ellembelle, mothers in labor as well as their unborn children, often suffer in pain during delivery, hence the need to take up the course.

Due to this, he cautioned that women ones would continue face sudden deaths if structures are put in place to address the challenges.

The former Minister of Energy explained that this unfortunate development has placed on the shoulders of stakeholders, the responsibility to address the major causes of infant and maternal mortality, and possibly narrow the growing phenomenon in health facilities to give hope to mothers and generations unborn.

He assured residents of partnering other stakeholders in addressing the menace

"In collaboration with the district health directorate, we will effectively stem the tide", he said.

According to the MP, his administration introduced the first Mobile Clinic in the district, offered the supply of medical equipments through the Nzema Association living abroad.

"Let me also indicate that we offered special support to nurses in the remote areas of the district to motivate them.

Though much has been chalked in the previous years, the rate of Maternal Mortality is still higher than the World Health Organization(WHO) requirements.

Ghana currently has Maternal Mortality ratio of 54/100,000 live births. Ellembele district in 2018 only had 199/100,000 which was way beyond the national target and this was made known during the annual review of the health sector in the district.

In an address, Kwasi Bonzo (Bonzoh-K), District Chief Executive for Ellembelle, also highlighted the worrying situation in the district in the past years and efforts being made to curb them.

He was however uhappy that the district directorate had seen the need to take up the challenge in combating it.

“We can not continue to live and watch while our wives, mothers and sisters die during labor or just after labour. We need conscious effort and support of all stakeholders", he stressed.