Statement By Hon. Salifu Mary Boforo on the struggle by women to overcome mortality at the various hospitals in the country
Source: parliament_of_ghana
Date: 2009-06-02

~STATEMENT BY HON. SALIFU MARY BOFORQ ON THE STRUGGLE BY WOMEN TO QVERCOME MATERNAL MORTALITY AT THE VARIQUS HOSPITALS IN THE COUNTRY Madam Speaker, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to draw the attention of the government, NGOs and all other stakeholders to the plight of our pregnant mothers and sisters on their struggle to overcome maternal mortality at the various hospitals in the country. Madam Speaker, the issue of maternal mortality in this country is a lingering issue. Maternal mortality refers to those deaths which are caused by complications due to pregnancy or childbirth. These complications may be experienced during pregnancy or delivery, or may occur up to 42 days following childbirth. In Ghana Madam Speaker, maternal mortality is estimated at 214 deaths per 100,000 live births. It has accounted for an average of 10,000 deaths in the last 10 years. Health experts say if the trend continues till 2015, about 12,000 more deaths would occur, and 1,000 more women and children would suffer disabilities. In comparative terms, there is the risk of one death in every 35 live births in Ghana as compared to one in 1, 800 in developed countries. Madam Speaker, these problems are largely due to inadequate medical facilities to ensure quality healthcare delivery. Madam Speaker, In April this year, the unannounced visit by the Minister of Health to the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital revealed a dysfunctional elevator at the maternity block. The obsolete and dysfunctional elevator made expectant mothers, doctors and nurses to endure the pain of climbing the stairs to as far as the sixth floor. This situation compelled the minister to give an ultimatum for the immediate replacement of the elevator to save the fives of poor pregnant women at the maternity block. Page 1 of 3 A few days ago Madam Speaker, there was a clear case of congestion at the Ridge Hospital where pregnant women were lying on the floor of the maternity block without even receiving any medical attention. Sources indicated that one of the pregnant women bled to death as a result of inadequate medical facilities and attention. Madam Speaker, the condition at the maternity ward of the Tema General Hospital is also deplorable. The beds are woefully inadequate, forcing two or three mothers with their babies to share one bed while those in labour sit on benches waiting for some of their colleagues to be discharged. Madam Speaker, on Wednesday 20" May 2009, there was a shocking report of poor antenatal services at the Kaneshie Polyclinic. A pregnant woman who reported at the clinic in labour was turned away by the nurses on duty. They could not even detect that she was due for labour. Unfortunately, soon after she arrived home, she gave birth unaided with the baby on the fioor. Madam Speaker, the situation is not different throughout the country. Health personnel in the three Northern Regions continue to express concern about the increase of maternal mortality in the regions. | believe strongly that these revelations are just a tip of the iceberg. The situation could be worse particularly at the local level where access to health care delivery is a serious challenge due to poor road network, lack of fransportation as well as expert staff. These conditions are completely unacceptable Madam Speaker. It is in this regard Madam Speaker that | appeal to government and other stakeholders to put in more effort lo address this avoidable menace. By so doing, we would be sure of achieving the 5" Millennium Development Goal of reducing maternal mortality by three-quarters by 2015. Madam Speaker, the future of this great nation lies in the health of its people and | therefore call on heaith professionals to also demonstrate leadership and commitment to promote productivity and have the desire for innovation to safe our dear mothers. Page 2 of 3 Madam Speaker, in the last Parliament the Women Caucus appealed to some stakeholders and corporate bodies to assist in the refurbishment of the two non- functioning theatres at the Obstetrics or Gynaecology Department of the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital. The appeal came after our visit to the hospital in 2007. MTN Scancom Ltd responded to our appeal and started refurbishing the place with an initial commitment of Six Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢600,000). As | speak now, the project has been completed with a total amount of Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢650,000). Madam Speaker, the Women Caucus then also contributed an amount of Fifteen Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢15,000) for the same purpose. And we are proudly announcing that the presentation of this amount will be made this week by this present Caucus on behalf of our colleague women MPs who contributed but are not here with us in Parliament today. We thank them and MTN for assisting this noble course. Indeed, the women of Ghana will never forget about them. Madam Speaker, your Women Caucus in Parliament has shown leadership by example and we urge many people to follow suite. Thank you Madam Speaker. Page 3 of 3