68 Views Posted on 22-Nov-2011 under Health

The first lady, Dr. Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills on Monday stormed the home region of her husband the President, John Evans Atta Mills, to launch the Campaign for Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality.

The Central region is among some of the regions that recorded very high maternal mortality cases according to statistics provided by the Ghana Health Service. And for sometime now the region has been engaged in several ways of trying to minimize the incidence of pregnancy related death which includes an agreement with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to provide free transport services to pregnant women.

The Central Region however is the Seventh region across the country,where Dr. Naadu Mills has launched the Campaign for Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality. And in all these regions the first lady has called for support to fight all pregnancy related deaths.

Addressing policy makers and traditional rulers at the various, Municipal and District Assemblies, the first lady emphasized the need for women particularly the pregnant, to be given the necessary information relating to their reproductive health.

She stressed that most women who die from pregnancy related deaths, in most cases have very little or no information at all on matters relating to their reproductive system and how it operates. And so cared little in ensuring that they receive the best of ante-natal, delivery and post natal care.

The first lady also acknowledged the need for local governments and assemblies to collaborate with the transport unions in transporting pregnant women to health centres and facilities. She was happy that the concept is gaining fast grounds especially in the Central region and urged other Municipal and District Assemblies to emulate such a move in reducing maternal deaths.

Not too long ago the first was in the Brong Ahafo and Ashanti regions to launch the campaign there as well with a similar call on the chiefs to put in place measures that will encourage women adopt habit of visiting health centres on regular basis.

The first lady will also be in the Western, Greater Accra and Volta regions to launch the campaign and call for support in reducing maternal death.

Source: Peter Bamfo - pbkog@yahoo.com