The Mother Baby Friendly Health Initiative (MBFHI), piloted in four districts in the Upper East Region has contributed to a reduction in neonatal and maternal mortality rates.
The pilot implementation of the project in the Bolgatanga Municipality, Bawku Municipality, and the Bongo and Kassena Nakana West districts, has improved the quality of care for mothers and newborns, and reduced maternal and neonatal deaths.
The project under the auspices of UNICEF provided new born care units, logistics and financial support in the beneficiary districts to improve quality maternal and neonatal care.
Speaking at a review meeting on the impact of the 5-year MBHFI program in Bolgatanga, Regional Newborn focal person, Rofina Asuru, said the project has significantly improved the healthcare of mothers and newborns.
“Through the project we have put a sense of urgency to our care system. Now staff are able to look around to fish out clients who need urgent care than others for timely healthcare to save lives. They are also able to refer, we have five newborn care units established under the project. In the past, premature babies were left to die”.
She also disclosed that, the project has contributed to a reduction in maternal mortality from 44 last September to 25 same period this year.
Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Winfred Ofosu, reiterated that the continued care for maternal and neonatal care was essential, and admonished community health nurses to monitor pregnant and breastfeeding mothers through home visits to manage maternal and neonatal related conditions.
“The good news is that, while the project by UNICEF is ending, the World Health Organization (WHO) is coming in to maintain the model facilities and scale up to other districts by next year in the improvement of maternal and neonatal care in the entire region.”
He further underscored the impact of the project in offering refresher courses for midwives in the beneficiary districts, which is critical to enhance antenatal care and skilled delivery and management.
–
By: Frederick Awuni | citinewsroom.com | Ghana