Four cases of maternal deaths was recorded in the Ledzokuku Municipality in 2022 which involved a pregnant woman who, for the fear of Caesarian Section (CS), went to a prayer camp and later died in labour.
The Ledzokuku Municipal Director of Health Services, Madam Jacqueline Sfarijlani the causes of maternal death for all four cases were anaemic during pregnancy, reporting late to health facilities, and the choice of opting for prayer camps and healing centres for the fear of Caesarian Section (CS).
She said: “When a woman comes at 36 weeks and her HP is below 11, it is a risk factor because one of the causes of maternal mortality is haemorrhage (bleeding during the delivery process)”.
“So, if her HP is low and care is not taken or no intervention, we may lose her and that is one of the cases in Greater Accra and the Ledzokuku Municipality as well,” she said, adding that, often, pregnant women reported to the facilities late.
The directorate recorded six maternal deaths in 2021
According to the Municipal Health Directorate, the fear of CS was a major concern and called on all stakeholders to help demystify the service.
Madam Sfarijlani said this while addressing the media at the 2022 annual Performance Review meeting organised by the Ledzokuku Municipal Health Directorate at Teshie on the theme: “Addressing healthcare delivery gaps for equity in health coverage through intensifying health promotion interventions, optimising the use of data and technology to improve access to quality healthcare and strengthening preventive and control measures for emergent and re-emergent public health events”.
The purpose of the meeting was to assess the work of health facilities in the Municipality in the previous year based on the objectives of the Ghana Health Service and discuss challenges, achievements, and learn best practices to improve health care.
Madam Sfarijlani said one of the key interventions for 2023 will include a sensitisation programmes for pregnant women on CS and dieting.
“A lot of work has been done to reduce maternal mortality, and we want to intensify our pregnancy schools, thus move the pregnancy schools from the facilities into the communities so that we get closer to them, we will talk to them about the interventions and ensure that we fortify their iron folate constantly to boost the iron in the blood.”