Seven expectant mothers die in November in Jomoro District

The Jomoro District in the Western Region recorded seven maternal deaths in November this year. The deaths, recorded at Eikwe Catholic and Half-Assini Government hospitals respectively, were a dent in the country's efforts at reducing maternal deaths as projected in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) four and five. Mr Kwasi Nyarko, Disease Control Officer for Jomoro District Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service, disclosed this at Half-Assini at a public education geared towards reducing maternal mortality in the district. Mr Nyarko urged expectant mothers to attend antenatal clinics regularly to detect complications before delivery to forestall any misfortune. He also entreated pregnant women to sleep under treated mosquito nets and wear protective clothing at night to avoid contracting Malaria since it was a major cause of maternal death. Mr Nyarko cautioned them against self-medication and advised them to rather stick to medical officers� prescription. Madam Charlotte Danquah, Acting District Health Director, said the education campaign began some months ago and had covered communities such as Effasu, Newtown and Ekebaku as well as some churches. She said the Health Directorate had trained some health advocates in various communities, including queen mothers who periodically sensitize people on good health practices.