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The President of Eastwood Anaba Ministries (EAM), Reverend Eastwood Anaba, has urged health professionals to prioritise maternal care, emphasising that every step in the childbirth process is crucial to saving the lives of expectant mothers and their babies.
Speaking at the 2024 annual performance review meeting of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Upper East Region, Rev. Anaba noted that maternal healthcare is a critical national issue that demands immediate attention.
He stressed that labour wards should be safe spaces for childbirth, not places of fear and uncertainty for families.
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Statistics from the GHS indicate a troubling trend in maternal deaths in the Upper East Region.
- 2021: 43 maternal deaths recorded
- 2022: A decline to 27 deaths
- 2023: A rise to 33 deaths
- 2024: Further increase to 40 deaths
In total, the region has lost 143 women during childbirth in the past four years.
Rev. Anaba described the situation as alarming, calling on health authorities to intensify efforts in improving healthcare delivery in labour wards to reverse this trend.
The preacher and trained pharmacist emphasised that no family should have to fear for the life of a woman in labour.
“Relatives of expectant mothers should not be in doubt about whether the pregnant woman will come out alive or not after delivery. This perception creates unnecessary anxiety and stress,” he said.
He added that delays in emergency response, inadequate medical facilities, and negligence in some cases contribute to unnecessary deaths.
Rev. Anaba also challenged families and communities to play a more active role in ensuring safe pregnancies.
“The provision of maternal care must begin at home, not just in hospitals. Many pregnant women face emotional and psychological stress that puts their health at risk even before reaching healthcare facilities,” he noted.
He urged husbands and family members to be emotionally and physically supportive, as the mental well-being of expectant mothers directly affects maternal health outcomes.
Additionally, he warned against harmful lifestyles during pregnancy, particularly the consumption of excessive alcohol, which increases the risk of complications during childbirth.
Rev. Anaba also highlighted infrastructural challenges in Ghana’s healthcare system, stressing the need for modern medical facilities, well-equipped labour wards, and an adequate number of trained healthcare personnel.
“We must provide first-class medical facilities with the necessary equipment and personnel to reduce maternal deaths. This should be a collective priority for all stakeholders,” he said.
He further called on traditional and religious leaders to lead the charge in eradicating harmful cultural practices and superstitions that endanger the lives of women during pregnancy and childbirth.
Adding to the discussion, Dr Lawrence Ofori-Boadu, Director of the Institutional Care Division at GHS, stressed the need for a safe working environment for health workers.
He noted that insecurity in some areas has led to healthcare professionals requesting transfers to other regions, worsening the shortage of skilled labour in the Upper East Region.
“If the region is safe and well-equipped, no health staff will want to leave,” Dr Ofori-Boadu stated.
Rev. Anaba’s call to action serves as a wake-up call for government, healthcare authorities, families, and community leaders.
With Ghana’s commitment to reducing maternal mortality under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), urgent measures are required to improve healthcare facilities, train more health workers, and promote community-based maternal care initiatives.
The message is clear: no woman should lose her life while bringing another into the world.
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