RADIO DISCUSSION ON

ADDRESSING MATERNAL AND NEONATAL MORBIDITY & MORTALITY

IN THE VOLTA REGION

BYMADAM CHRISTINE ENYONAM

KUGBEADZOR (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GLOWA, & HO MUN. GIRLS EDUCATION

OFFICER)

RADIO PRESENTATION

OUTLINE:1. Introduction of GLOWA NGO and its work2. Background of the Maternal and neonatal

health project3. Highlights of the 2-day workshop4. Statistics of the Maternal and child health

in the Volta region5. Commitments of key stakeholders

working on maternal and new-born babies’ health

6. Conclussion

Introduction of GLOWA NGO and its work

Global Action for Women Empowerment (GLOWA) as a non-governmental, non-political and non -profit making organization was formed in June 1999 in response to the health and socio-economic needs of women, youth and children in the Volta and Eastern Regions of Ghana.

OFFICE: GLOWA has her main office located in Ho New Housing Estate No.

129, ground floor of Project Abroad office near Life for the Living Medical Centre

GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE: GLOWA is currently operating in five districts/municipals namely

Ho, Adaklu-Anyigbe, Hohoe, Kpando and Asuogyaman in the Volta and Eastern Regions.

GLOWA and its work STRATEGIC AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF GLOWA   To promote good health of women, youth and children so as to

meet MDGs by 2015   To build the capacity of women, children and youth to bring about

behavioural changes among them.   To combat social menace like Malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS, STDs among

women and youth.   To reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality rates in rural

communities.   To create awareness on Women/Children's Fundamental Human

Rights through advocacy.   To fight child labour and child trafficking in Ghanaian society. To promote economic empowerment of women: income

generation and Micro credit  

WHY GLOWA

Women are marginalised and discriminated against both socially and economically.

Violence against women, girls and children are on the increase.  Women are affected by Sexually transmitted Infection (STIs) and

are dying from HIV/AIDS.   Malnutrition of children and pregnant women, poor hygienic

practices, Teenage pregnancy, Drug Abuse, poor family planning are challenges of Ghanaian women and the youth. Women, girls and youth have become vulnerable to many infections, diseases and discrimination.

  Also, women do not have access to adequate information, credit

facilities, health care and health rights.

Some girls are denied the opportunity to go to school or further their education; they are often victims of sexual harassment including defilement and rape.  

It was against these backdrops that GLOWA NGO was started on 10th June 1999.

TARGET GROUP OF GLOWA

GLOWA works with women within the reproductive health age, children, people affected by HIV/AIDS, teenage mothers, street children, the girl child, orphans, brilliant but needy girls and the youth irrespective of their tribe, race, religion or political affiliation.

2. 0 Background of the Maternal and neonatal health project

GLOWA being interested in women and their reproductive health and committed to contributing to the attainment of MDG 4 and 5 conducted a desk-top study on maternal and child morbidity mortality issues in the Volta Region in 2010. the results of the study showed that, though the GHS has chalked some successes as a region, gaps still exist.

GLOWA as a stakeholder or a collaborator with Ghana Health Service realise that, she needs to develop some back up strategies to complement the efforts being made in the health facilities to provide the best care services to our mothers during pregnancy and after delivery.

Maternal and neonatal health project cont.

As a follow-up to the study, GLOWA developed a small proposal and got some financial support from The World Bank Ghana through the CDP

This project is dubbed:CONSULTATIONS AMONG KEY

STAKEHOLDERS WORKING ON MATERNAL AND NEONATAL MORTALITY ISSUES IN THE VOLTA REGION

Maternal and neonatal health project cont.

Under this project, the following activities will be organised:

1. A 2-Day Consultative workshop for KEY stakeholders working on maternal and neonatal mortality issues in the Volta region

WHO ARE THESE STAKEHOLDERS:Health professionals (midwives, community

health nurses, doctors, TBAs), Assembly members, chiefs, queen mothers, religious leaders, teachers, media, mothers, fathers, etc.

Maternal and neonatal health project cont.

The 2-day workshop was organised under the THEME:

“Reducing Maternal and Neonatal Mortality through Dialogue and Action within the

Framework of Social Accountability”

DATE: Thursday, 1st – Friday 2nd September

 

VENUE: PENSIONERS’ HALL, HO

PLAN OF ACTIVITIESS/N ACTIVITY TIME SCHEDULE/

DURATION

1. Organise a 2-Day Consultative and Strategic Planning Workshop involving 30 key stakeholders towards reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in the Volta Region. Venue: Pensioners’ Hall, Ho

September (2 days) Date: 1st -2nd Sept.

2. information dissemination by the workshop participants on workshop outcomes with others in their various communities, institutions and sectors

SeptemberDate: 3rd -15th Sept.

3. Mothers and Neonates Health Champions/ Advocates continue with the implementation of the adopted action points with their milestones in project communities:to undertake BCC/IE&C campaign activities in homes, churches, mosques, healing/prayer camps among groups/societies, clubs/associations, at community durbars, health facilities, festivals, funeral grounds, naming ceremonies and other social gatherings.

September 2011 – February 2012Date: 15th Sept. 2011 to 28th Feb. 2012

4. GLOWA’s M&E team shall conduct follow-up visits to 5 identified communities with high maternal/neonatal mortality rates to track progress, challenges and outcomes on BCC Campaign/advocacy initiatives undertaken by the community based volunteers (CBVs) in these areas.

October – December 2011

5. GLOWA in collaboration with the media - Volta Star/Volta Premier Radio stations shall hold 4 radio discussions on the theme “Reducing Maternal and Neonatal Mortality through dialogue and Action within the framework of Social Accountability”

October – December 2011

6. GLOWA in collaboration with DHD will facilitate the organisation of community health durbars in 10 communities with special focus on the theme. Such durbars shall raise specific funds to support campaign against maternal and neonatal morbidity in the communities. Example supply of hand gloves for TBAs and wanzams’ use and transporting poor expectant mothers in labour to the nearest recognised health facility for delivery.

October – December 2011

7. Knowledge sharing sessions:i) GLOWA shall in collaboration with the Ho Municipal Assembly and Regional Health Directorate

organize a Town-hall Meeting at Ho Municipal Assembly Hall to share the information with all key stakeholders and the general public. Stakeholders to be involved are Health workers, Chiefs, Religious Leaders, Health Workers, Women’s Groups/Associates, Youth Clubs, the Media, NGOs in health, teachers/pupils (GES) and the general public.

ii) GLOWA in collaboration with the media-Volta Star Radio shall hold a radio discussion programme to share the lessons learnt and best practices from the organized activities over the period.

February 2012

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2-DAY CONSULTATION AMONG KEY STAKEHOLDERS TOPICS TREATED WERE:   PRESENTATION I Institutional efforts towards prevention of maternal and newborn babies’

deaths in Ho Municipality; the role of stakeholders in health towards attainment of MDG 4 and 5 by Dr. A. Seake-Kwawu/ Ms Doris Quame (Ho Municipal Health Directorate)

   PRESENTATION II Importance of Accessing Clinical/ Antenatal/Post Natal Healthcare for Mothers

within Reproductive Health Age by Mrs. Susana Wumbee - Clinical Service Unit, Ghana Health Service Headquarters, Accra

   Sharing of Experiences/Best Practices     PRESENTATION III Institutional efforts towards prevention of maternal and Neonatal mortality;

achievements, challenges and way forward for Volta Regional Hospital by Dr. Eric Amakpa, Gynaecologist Specialist, Volta Reg. Hospital

   PRESENTATION IV Regional Situation on Maternal and Neonatal Health, Achievements,

Challenges and the way forward for MDG 4 and 5 By Dr. Winfried Ofosu, Deputy Regional Director, Public Health, Ho

Maternal and neonatal health project cont. Recommended Priority topics used for group work and

action planning:

1. What are the major causes of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in the Volta region

2. What can we do to raise awareness about the effects of maternal and neonatal mortality in the region?

3. What best strategies or practices can we adopt in preventing/ reducing healthcare associated infection risks among mothers and new born babies?

4. What can we do to engage all stakeholders (mothers, fathers, health professionals, NGOs, media, Assembly persons, chiefs, queen mothers and community members) in the advocacy to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.

WHAT IS MATERNAL & NEONATAL HEALTH?

Maternal Health◦Refers to health of women during pregnancy,

childbirth and postpartum periodNeonatal Health

◦Refers to the health of the newborn during the first 28 days of life

MDG 4: improve child health

Goal: Reduce child mortalityTarget

◦ Reduce by 2/3rds between 1990 and 2015 the under 5 mortality rate

Indicators◦ Under 5 mortality rate◦ Infant mortality rate◦ Proportion of under 1 year immunized against

measles

MDG 5: Maternal Health

Goal: reduce maternal mortalityTarget: to reduce by 3/4 between 1990-2015

maternal mortality ratioIndicators: - Maternal mortality ratio - Adolescent birth rate - Unmet need for family planning(Increase) - Proportion of births attended by skilled health

personal -Contraceptive prevalence rate -Antenatal care coverage

Statistics of the Maternal and child health in the Volta region

Antenatal care (ANC) –Volta region

INDICATOR 2008 2009 2010 Achievement

ANC 93.4(71,014)

89.1(69,240)

85.467,461)

AVERAGE VISITS

3.1 3.5 3.7

4+ Visit 61.1 76.0 74.1

Tetanus T. 2+

62.5 65.2 63.9

Commitments of key stakeholders working on maternal and new-born babies’ health

1. Debriefing of immediate health staff and group members on highlights of lessons learnt at the workshop

2. Sensitising colleague health workers to have passion for expectant mothers - Change of attitudes and making mothers’ clinic more mother and friendly

3. Educating community leaders on the need to intensify education on maternal and infant health;

4. Conduct sensitisation in the homes, community meetings, churches, healing centres, mosques, schools (PTA meeting & among pupils) on each person’s roles & responsibilities

Commitments of key stakeholders working on maternal and new-born babies’ health

5. Organise health durbars to raise special funds towards saving pregnant women’s lives in the communities (levying each adult GHC0.10)

6. Organise monthly forum with pregnant women to visit a health facility for ANC at least 4 times before deliveries

7. Provision of adequate logistics to management to enhance management of obstetric emergency services

Commitments of key stakeholders working on maternal and new-born babies’ health

8. Mainstream maternal health education into their main activities in their target communities (NGOs & FBOs)

9. Provide an hour airtime to GLOWA and GHS to do radio advocacy and educate the general public on the issue of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality ( Volta Premier and Volta Star FM radio station)

CHALLENGES WE FACE AT OUR FACILITIES IN DELIVERING THE BEST QUALITY OF CARE:

POOR REFERRALSLACK OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESSINADEQUATE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGESHORTAGE OF STAFF.POOR STAFF ATTITUDELACK OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIESPOOR INFRASTRUCTURE

KEY CHALLENGE OF THE VRH

Malfunctioning theatre that is very close to the labour ward due to some electrical faults.

They have to move patients (expectant mothers) having complications to the main theatre which is quite a distance away from the maternity ward. In that process, anything can happen

It is beyond the control of hospital management. We are calling on all stakeholder (Municipal Assembly, NGOs, Corporate institutions, philanthropists & all well meaning Ghanaians who have the health of women at heart to come to the aid of the Volta Regional Hospital and put this theatre into shape and make it functional to save our mothers and newborn babies’ lives

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Number of live births 625 631 588 554 785

MATERNAL DEATHS 8 7 8 10 10

CONCLUSIONThe truth is that, solutions do exist, we

must not allow the current healthcare errors to continue to kill our mothers and newborn babies within their 24 hours

The time to act is now and it is not the responsibility of only the healthcare workers; the onus lies in the shared responsibility, it is a social accountability; all hands must be on deck to drive away this canker of maternal and neonatal morbidity & mortality in the Volta region.

CONCLUSIONI therefore call on you chiefs, queens,

assemblymen/women, municipal assemblies, women associations, father support groups, religious leaders, health workers (public and private), media and all community members to observe the protocol e.g. Hand hygiene, show concern and get involved in the advocacy process

We need our mothers and infants to be alive

so they can add up to the workforce and contribute their quota to the development of mother Ghana.

YES! WE CAN SHOW CONCERN GET INVOLVED SAVE THE LIFE OF A MOTHER AND HER BABY

MAY GOD BLESS OUR EFFORTS

THANK YOU !!!