Expectant and nursing mothers in the Northern Region are to receive 500,000 mosquito bed nets as part of efforts at reducing maternal mortality.

Currently, the Northern Regional Health Service Directorate is preparing feverishly to roll out the campaign, to hang bed nets in the various bedrooms of beneficiaries.

Dr. Akwesi Twumasi, Director of the Directorate, who announced this at the launch of an innovation towards promoting and improving maternal mortality in Tamale said, the campaign would be completed by the end of the year.

The project dubbed “The Technology for Maternal Heath” was jointly developed by Savanna Signatures, Ghana Library Board and Ghana Heath Service.

He said the Directorate, as part of interventions to reduce maternal health, had vaccinated pregnant women against neo natal tetanus to ensure safe delivery.

Dr Twumasi said the region achieved 100 per cent in area of antenatal but the delivery rate at the various health centers was poor.

“About 80 per cent of delivery which are normal can occur with less supervision by health personnel, but the remaining 20 per cent can be very delicate which needs special care and attention from a specialist,” he said.

Dr Twumasi said if these cases were not properly handled, it could result in a lifelong complications, such a fistula.

He said the Directorate was battling with the challenge of few referral health centers as well as inadequate health centers in the region adding that, “It is difficult when a woman in labour is bleeding and needs medical attention within 30 minutes, but the nearest referral center takes about one and half hours drive.”

Dr Twumasi also expressed worry about the bad road network in the region and the lack of health personnel.

Mr. John Stephen Agbenyo, Director of Savanna Signatures, explained that the project would be in three phases, comprising the provision of maternal health information at the library, a forum to educate expectant mothers and a short message service for pregnant women.

He said a special centre had been established within the Tamale Library, furnished with computers and its accessories to provide both audio and video information on maternal health tips in English and in the local languages to be accessed by pregnant women for free.

Mr. Sam Nasamu Asabisi, Deputy Northern Regional Minister, said government would continue to explore ways of motivating health workers to work hard through better conditions of service.

He said pregnant women needs care and support to ensure safe delivery.**