Anthony Kobina Kurentsir Sam
A total of 24 maternal deaths have been reported in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis as at the end of November 2017 as compared to 40 deaths recorded within the same period in 2016.
The major causes of the deaths this year were hypertension in pregnancy and bleeding during and after birth with inadequate blood to resuscitate the women and lack of immediate transport for referrals, among others.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of Sekondi-Takoradi, Anthony Kobina Kurentsir Sam, revealed this at the 3rd Ordinary Meeting of the 2nd Session of the 7th Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly.
“The influence of some pastors also affects maternal health negatively as they advise women against early reporting to health facilities for care, against life-saving interventions like caesarean section and blood infusion,” he added.
He pointed out that the Western Regional Health Directorate was taking steps to organise a meeting with religious leaders early next year to discuss the issue.
Mr Kurentsir Sam mentioned that the coverage of reproductive and child health services continue to be a challenge in the metropolis, with coverage hovering below 55 percent for antenatal care and 45 percent for skilled delivery.
He indicated that part of the challenge had to do with access to skilled delivery services in the rural parts of the metropolis, adding that the assembly, together with the members of parliaments, were taking steps to construct CHPS compounds at Essipon, Apremdo, Kojokrom, Diabene and Sekondi.
“All these facilities would offer antenatal, skilled delivery and postnatal services to bridge the access,” he indicated.
The MCE also disclosed that three rabies cases were also reported in the metropolis with over 35 dog bites as at the end of November.
“Three people have died – two from the metropolis and one from the Shama District,” he revealed.
Mr Kurentsir Sam then appealed to the assembly members to help sensitise their community members on the need to vaccinate their dogs and cats and ensure that their dogs are confined and not left to roam about to pose threat to the health of the people.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Sekondi