Zabzugu District Assembly, has completed the 2014 implementation of the second quarter programme activities of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on maternal and reproductive health.

The district assembly is one of the partners of the UNFPA/Government of Ghana 6th country programme, which spans maternal health and family planning services, with focus on antenatal care, obstetric fistula, HIV and AIDS prevention and education on the Domestic Violence Act.

As part of the programme the assembly, through the District technical team, organises durbars, health review meeting, peer educators training, and radio programmes to sensitise the public on maternal health issues.

At one of the community durbars in Kukpalgu, more than 300 community members made up of women, opinion leaders, chiefs, assembly members, religious leaders and the public were sensitised on the causes, effects, and prevention of maternal mortality.

Madam Elizabeth Kopri, District Director of Health Service, told the durbar that during the first half the year, the district recorded one maternal death at Zabzugu and used the platform to appeal to stakeholders to work hard towards preventing future mortalities.

During the open forum the participants said one of the major challenges facing them in accessing health care services include lack of midwives, communication gap between couples regarding maternal health needs and bad attitude of some health personnel towards clients.

Mr Issifu Alidu Laa-Bandow, District Chief Executive commended the participants for turning out massively for the durbar and urged them to spread the knowledge especially to those at home.