The Ghana Health Service has attributed the steady decline in infant and maternal deaths at childbirth in the country to the active work of midwives.
By the close of the year 2022, neonatal mortalities decreased from 7.1 per 1000 live births to 6.5 per 1000 live births. Institutional maternal mortality also decreased from 111 per 100 thousand to 102 per 100 thousand.
According to the Director General of Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, “though the figures don’t look like a big drop, but for infant mortality, that’s huge, if you convert to the number of children saved”
Speaking at the national launch of the 32nd International Day of the Midwife and Award Ceremony held at the University of Cape Coast, the Director General of Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye commended the professionals for their contribution towards this achievement.
The International Day of the Midwife is celebrated globally on May 5th every year to recognize and appreciate the work of midwives and create awareness of the essential care that midwives provide in the area of maternal and newborn care.
Dr. Kuma-Aboagye notes that In Ghana, the day has always been marked religiously as a special moment when the benefits of midwifery are presented to policymakers and relevant stakeholders.
He notes that the country recorded the lowest maternal mortality ever in the year 2000, and Ghana has continually ensured the figures do not go up again as midwives in the country must be commended for ‘the yeoman’s job they’ve done…”
Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye however called on the Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRMA) and the National Association of Registered Midwives (NARM) to work closely to resolve any grievances their members may be having.
He said on the part of the Ghana Health Service, they will look at introducing residency programmes for midwives as well as try to see to the increase in the midwifery study leave quota for midwives serving under the Ghana Health Service.
This he said will ensure the sturdy growth of the profession and ensure midwives get quality training.
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Source: Sandra Arko Dadzie/ATLFMNEWS
