Statistics from the Northern regional directorate of the Ghana Health Service indicates that maternal deaths in the region are on the increase.
Out of 70 maternal deaths recorded between January to July this year, 65 were institutional one, 5 being community deaths.
The statistics further revealed that between January and May this year, the region recorded 65 deaths.
Of the statistics, Tamale teaching the recorded the highest with 31 deaths representing 47.7 percent, Yendi hospital, 6 representing 9.2 percent, followed by Walewale Hospital, with 4 (6.2%) came from Bole Hospital, 3(4.6%) each came from Gushegu Hospital and B.M.C, 2 (3.1%) each came Zabzugu hospital, Salaga Hospital, Kings Medical Centre and Savelugu Nanton Hospital.
Nyohini, Chereponi Polyclinic, Karaga polyclinic, Katani CHPS and Saboba Medical Centre recorded 1(1.5%) each.
A total of 53 institutional maternal deaths, 7 occurred in January, 12 occurred in February and 10 occurred in March, 9 deaths occurred in April 10 deaths were recorded in May, 9 deaths were recorded in June and 8 deaths were recorded as at 28th July 2012.
It is against this backdrop that the northern regional health directorate was worried about the increasing rate of maternal mortality in the region and called on stakeholders.
The directorate is therefore expectant mothers in the region to visit the health facilities regularly to help health authorities prevent the problem from further escalating.
The deaths recorded in health facilities came from the communities as a results of delay in attending anti-natal care. The situation even though is improving; expectant mothers do no visit the health facilities on time leading to the situation. Speaking at a media briefing in Tamale, the northern regional director of Ghana Health Service, Dr Akwasi Twumasi said problem need holistic approach by all stakeholders including the media to help educate he women on the need for anti-natal care.
Dr Twumasi appealed to traditional rulers, communities’ agencies and other major stakeholders to join hands to prevent pregnant women from the maternal and its related deaths in the region.
On women resorting to traditional method in delivering, Dr Akwasi Twumasi said the practices are not general negative but its delay is what affecting his outfit quest in curbing the problem.
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