Greater Accra Region records 197 maternal deaths

Accra, May 1, GNA - The Greater Accra Region recorded 197 maternal deaths, while 100 women died through bleeding.

Dr Linda A. Vanotoo, the Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), who made this known in Accra on Monday said the women died through lack of blood hence the need to stock the blood banks.

She made this known during a blood donation by the GHS dubbed: 'Give Life to A Mother During Child Birth.'

'We decided to do this as part of our effort to help us improve on our maternal and new born survival,' she added.

According to Dr Vanotoo, Ridge and Tema Regional Hospitals are the two major hospitals, which are currently running the blood transfusion campaign because these two facilities recorded more than 100,000 of babies delivered every year and also receive referrals from other smaller facilities.

'Blood is something we need to replace and today being a holiday, we found out that it was a good day to solicit support from the… public who heard us from the various programmes on radio and television to come and donate blood to support a worthy cost,' she said.

Dr Vanotoo expressed the hope that GHS would be able to get as many as 1000 pints of blood in the two facilities.

She called on public- spirited organisations and individuals to facilitate the blood donation efforts.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Mrs Sally Oubdah, a caterer, who was expecting a baby said she was pleased with the exercise because it was going to help her and others during delivery.

She explained that it was mandatory for every pregnant woman to bring someone to donate blood before delivery to help in emergency cases.

GNA

By Elizabeth Tetteh/Christielove Basmel Aborchie, GNA