In the Upper East Region of Ghana, maternal mortality remains a major threat to pregnant women.
It is said that maternal mortality has witnessed an upward trend over the past two years, in 2019, the region recorded 31 maternal deaths (representing 80.8/100,000 live births), the number slightly increased in 2020 to 36 (representing 91.8/100,000 live births), and further increased to 43 deaths in 2021 (representing 98/100,000 per live births)”
According to the Regional Health Director, Dr. Emmanuel Kofi Dzotsi the upward trend has continued because of the lack of specialists in the region to handle such delicate cases in the region.
Speaking at the 2021 Annual Performance Review Meeting held in Bolgatanga, Dr. Dzotsi noted that there is an acute shortage of critical human resources in the region affecting the fight against maternal mortality.
According to him, “in the year under review, 2021, the doctor-to-population ratio stands at 1:24,097 and the midwife-to-woman in the fertility age population ratio stands at 1:433. As of December 31st December, 2021; [the region had only] 9 Specialist Doctors; 42 General Medical Officers, 2 Dental Medical Officers and 721 midwives”.
“These numbers are woefully inadequate to take care of over 1million (1,318,351) population of the Upper East Region,” He added.
Dr. Dzotsi, therefore, explained that critical health personnel that are required to be able to fight maternal mortality are Specialised Doctors, Physician Assistants and midwives.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dzotsi revealed that most health professionals who are posted to the region are adamant, describing the region as “unattractive”.
“Very worrying situation to note is that of the 10 medical officers posted to the region in 2021 none reported to work in the region,” he said.
The Regional Director thus appealed to concerned partners and stakeholders to ensure that incentive packages are put in place to attract medical Doctors and Midwives in the region to enhance health care delivery.
A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Kennedy Zongbil|Bolgatanga|Ghana
