Tamale, April 24, GNA - A doctor has appealed to stakeholders in health delivery particularly the media to undertake sustainable activities that aim at improving the survival, health and well-being of mothers and children.

He urged journalists to make it their social responsibility to contribute towards the cause of mothers and children by raising awareness regarding the promotion of maternal and child health which have been neglected for too long. Dr. Akwasi Twumasi, Northern Regional Director of Health Services, said this at the regional launch of the Government Registered Midwives Group (GRMG) in Tamale on Friday.

He said the reason for the high maternal and child mortality rate in the country lay in the perception of people on matters related to health in general and maternal and child health in particular. Dr. Twumasi said these perceptions were critically dependent upon the availability of valid information to determine health behaviour. Mrs. Rizuvana Hawa Amoako-Agyei, National Chairperson of the GRMG, advised pregnant women not to wait until their conditions became critical before visiting the hospital.

She also appealed to the midwives to put up their maximum performance in the discharge of their duties while doing away with all negative attitudes that give them a bad name. Mr. Stephen Sumani Nayina, Northern Regional Minister, called on the midwives to give attention and care to pregnant women who visit health facilities.