No maternal deaths recorded at KSH in four years

Kumasi, Jan 10, GNA - The Kumasi South Hospital at Kyirapatre has for the past four years not recorded any maternal death, Mrs Vivian Addo- Kobbia, Senior Nursing Officer in-charge of the maternity ward has said.

She attributed this to the continuous education of women and pregnant women who attended the Hospital.

Speaking at a Private Public Partnership Relationship Intensification workshop in Kumasi, Mrs Addo-Kobbia said the Hospital had established ''Daddy's Forum'' for husbands of pregnant women and other clients for regular interaction with them on how to improve on maternal health issues.

In addition, she said, her outfit had been visiting churches to sensitise women on the need to use insecticide impregnated bed nets for pregnant women, nursing mothers and their children and the need to protect themselves from being anaemic during pregnancy. Madam Elizabeth Sarfo-Adu, Principal Nursing Officer (Public Health), said the Sub-Metro recorded about 6,108 deliveries in 2004 as against the targeted 11,349 deliveries.

She said the target could not be met due to the fact that some pregnant women refused to attend antenatal and post-natal clinics. Madam Faustina Osei Mensah, a Nursing officer, said 276 babies delivered at the Hospital weighed less than 2.5 kilograms and described such a situation as very dangerous and could lead to still births or ill health for the baby after delivery.

She, therefore, called on pregnant women to report early to the Hospital immediately they got pregnant and to continue the visits for at least four times before delivery to ensure the safety of mother and child.