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Mr Kwaku Agyemang Manu (inset), the Minister of Health, addressing participants in the Midwifery Services Framework Ghana Country Assessment Workshop. Picture: EDNA ADU-SERWAA
Mr Kwaku Agyemang Manu (inset), the Minister of Health, addressing participants in the Midwifery Services Framework Ghana Country Assessment Workshop. Picture: EDNA ADU-SERWAA

Govt is focused on improving health sector — Manu

The Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyemang Manu, has stated that the government will remain focused and committed to implementing policies that will improve the health sector, including building the capacity of health personnel to offer their best.

He added that his outfit was also working towards the delivery of quality maternal and newborn health care to reduce the prevailing maternal and newborn mortality rates in the country.

To achieve these objectives, Mr Manu called for collective efforts from all stakeholders, stressing that “we need to work collectively to create a safe and supportive environment, ensure access to appropriate information, as well as ensure that health facilities provide goods and services, including counselling on maternal health, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health to clients.” 

Workshop

The minister was speaking at a three-day workshop on a framework to support and strengthen midwifery services in the country in Accra yesterday.

The Midwifery Services Framework (MSF), developed by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), offers a systematic approach for improving the quality of sexual and reproductive health care.

The framework also spells out key midwifery and health system concepts and outlines a step-by-step approach to set up maternal and newborn health services, including discussions on women and newborn, education, regulation and effective management.

It was on the theme: “Expanding quality midwifery services for the benefit of sexual and reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health services.”

It brought together maternal and newborn health experts, policymakers and other stakeholders on health. 

Commendation

The minister commended nurses and midwives across the country for their immense support for heath delivery services in the country. 

He indicated that the meeting was critical in assessing and mapping out strategies to improve the work of midwives.

Significance

The President of the Ghana Registered Midwifery Association (GRMA), Mrs Joyce Jetuah, said the workshop would interrogate issues, review healthcare approaches to policies and guidelines and come out with better strategies to improve the midwifery profession.

“This is the time for midwives to take a seat at the decision-making table to determine what works best for sexual reproductive, maternal, adolescent, child and neonatal health. If we are to improve outcomes and ensure the achievement of health related SDGs, midwives must lead,” she emphasised. 

Capacity building

For his part, the Director General of the GHS, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, urged members to build their capacities by furthering their education. “I want to see people with PhDs in maternal and child health. This will help in the advancement of the profession,” he stated.

He acknowledged the need for the health ministry to make medications available and affordable for pregnant women, particularly those in the rural areas.

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