Tamale, April 24, GNA - Dr Akwasi Twumasi, Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, on Thursday expressed regret at the increasing rate of maternal deaths in the region and called on all stakeholders, especially pregnant women, to help halt the trend. Dr Twumasi said this at the launch of a "Safe Motherhood/Life Choices" programme initiated by the Tamale Metropolitan and Northern Regional Health Directorate in Tamale on Thursday to sensitise the communities on what to do to reduce the high maternal mortality rate.

He said the Ghana Health Service had been implementing programmes and strategies towards reducing the high infant, child and maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the country, especially in the Northern Region. He said the safe motherhood initiative was a programme that aimed at creating the enabling environment for women to choose whether or not they wanted to be pregnant. He said the programme was to ensure that pregnant women receive care in the prevention and treatment of pregnancy complications, have access to trained birth assistants and essential obstetric care.

Dr Twumasi said in 2007 for instance, 115 maternal deaths were recorded in the region as compared to 92 in 2006, describing the situation as "alarming". "It is disheartening to note that whereas the national coverage of maternal death rate is estimated at 150 per 100,000 live births by 2006, the Northern Region recorded as high as 197 per 100,000 live births in 2007", he said.

The Regional Director expressed worry about the attitude of drivers who felt reluctant to carry women in labour to health facilities with the excuse that they would soil their vehicles. Dr John Abenyeri, Tamale Metropolitan Director of the Ghana Health Service, urged husbands to encourage their wives to attend both ante-natal and post natal check-ups. "If it is possible, you must go with your spouses since maternal health is a collective responsibility and must start from the home". He urged pregnant women to take advantage of the National Health Insurance Scheme to access quality health care.