Mr. Kwaku Agyeman Manu, the Minister of Health, has reaffirmed the government's dedication to expanding established interventions to ultimately reduce maternal mortality rates.
These interventions will facilitate improved access to skilled birth attendants and comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care for all women.
Speaking at the fourth National Maternal, Child Health, and Nutrition (MCHN) Conference 2023, held under the theme “Strengthening Service Delivery for Quality and Accessible RMNCAH&N Outcomes to Meet the SDGs Midpoint and Beyond,” the Minister emphasized the government's commitment to maternal and child health.
The fourth National Conference serves as a platform to discuss new initiatives and strengthen various levels of the health system, with particular attention to sub-district service delivery.
Mr. Manu stated that the Ministry would continue its efforts to enhance healthcare infrastructure, train and deploy healthcare professionals, and advocate for maternal health issues.
The objective is to ensure that significant progress is achieved in providing safe and positive birthing experiences for all mothers.
He expressed his intent to build on the successes of previous conferences to further advance knowledge sharing and collaboration for improving health systems in line with the SDGs and other global commitments.
The Minister underscored the government's commitment to child health, nutrition, and reducing maternal and child mortality, emphasizing that modest gains have been made over the past two decades.
Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director General of the Ghana Health Service, acknowledged that while progress has been made in maternal and child health, some challenges persist.
These include pregnancy-related deaths, anemia in women and children, slow reductions in neonatal mortality rates, and childhood malnutrition, including overweight, undernutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies.
Dr. Sofonias Asrat, a Representative from the World Health Organization, highlighted the global trends in maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths, emphasizing the need for Ghana to reverse poorly performing indicators and accelerate key initiatives to achieve SDG targets.
Dr. Kodjo Mensah-Aborampah, Director General of the National Development Planning Commission, stressed the importance of moving beyond setting targets to taking action on existing initiatives, considering Ghana's struggles in attaining the SDGs.
He emphasized the need for effective policies and the facilitation of skills and knowledge implementation to achieve set targets.
- Reporting by Muniratu Akweley Issah: Editing by Adewale Adejoke