Maternal project to benefit 30,000 women in Northern Region
The Savana Signatures Organisation, with support from two Canadian organisations, Global Affairs Canada, SALASAN and Mustimuh, is implementing the Technology for Maternal and Child Health (T4MCH) project to reduce maternal and infant mortality at 33 health facilities in the north.
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About 30,000 women in nine districts in north Gonja, Sawla/Tuna/Kalba, Sagnarigu, Mamprugu/Moaduri, Jirapa, Wa West, Wa East, Nkwanta South and Kadjebi districts in the Northern, Upper West and Volta regions are to benefit from the project.
Mr Abdul-Rashid Imoro, Programmes Manager of Savana Signatures, who made a presentation about the project to stakeholders at a meeting in Tamale, said the project sought to address the apathy of some expectant mothers towards antenatal attendance.
The meeting discussed the project, as well as sought the commitment of stakeholders, who were drawn from some of the beneficiary facilities, to ensure the success of the project.
Estimated deaths
It is estimated that 11 per cent of female deaths in the country occur during childbirth, hence the T4MCH project to encourage women to patronise health facilities while pregnant instead of relying solely on traditional birth attendants.
Mr Imoro said, the four-year project, which would end in 2019, would use technology in the form of voice calls and messages targeting expectant mothers to educate them at various stages of their pregnancy while building the capacity of health personnel as part of an integrated approach to mitigating maternal and infant mortality.
He said the project would also work to improve relationships between women and health care providers to ensure better health care for expectant mothers while mainstreaming gender by reaching out to men, including adolescents, to support their expectant wives.
The Deputy Director in charge of Clinical Care at the Northern Regional Health Directorate, Dr Braimah Abubakari, lauded the project, saying, it would help increase skilled delivery, which was important in reducing maternal and infant mortality in the country.
