The Ashanti Regional Population Council (NPC) Director, Madam Mercy Adomah Besseah, has emphasised the urgent need to scale up pregnancy schools in rural health facilities across Ghana, asserting that such a move could drastically reduce the country’s high maternal mortality rate.
Addressing the issue in a press statement, Madam Besseah noted that maternal deaths remain a significant public health challenge, especially in rural communities where access to quality healthcare is limited.
She cited recent data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and national surveys to highlight the gravity of the situation.
Globally, the maternal mortality rate stands at 197 deaths per 100,000 live births, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for a staggering 70% of these deaths, according to WHO’s 2023 report.
Ghana’s own Maternal Health Survey (2022) places the country’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) at 308 per 100,000 live births — significantly above the global average.
“Most of these cases go unreported, particularly in rural settings, which further masks the depth of the crisis,” Madam Besseah lamented.
“Over 60% of maternal deaths in Ghana occur in rural areas where healthcare access is minimal, and poverty is widespread.”She added.
The Ashanti NPC Director referenced the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (2022), which revealed that only 48% of rural births occur in health facilities, compared to more than 90% in urban areas.
The disparity, she explained, is due to a combination of factors including a lack of skilled health personnel, poor road networks, limited emergency transport, and widespread poverty.
To bridge this gap, Madam Besseah is advocating for the nationwide expansion of pregnancy schools and structured educational programs that offer pregnant women and their partners critical information on pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care.
“Pregnancy schools are more than just informative sessions; they are life-saving interventions. They equip women with essential knowledge on nutrition, hygiene, birth preparedness, danger signs in pregnancy, newborn care, and family planning,” she said.
She disclosed that success stories have already emerged from some parts of the Ashanti Region. For instance, the Adansi-Asokwa District Health Directorate reported zero maternal deaths and stillbirths in 2023 — a feat attributed to the increased presence of skilled midwives and the integration of pregnancy schools into community health systems.
“These achievements show what is possible when we invest in health education and community engagement,” Madam Besseah stated.
However, she acknowledged ongoing challenges such as the uneven distribution of midwives and limited resources in rural health facilities.
She urged the government to integrate pregnancy schools into the broader primary healthcare system, emphasising the need for:
Government commitment and increased funding
Community involvement in monitoring and evaluation
Training and deployment of more community health facilitators
Expansion of mobile ambulance and motorbike services for emergency maternal care
“Maternal health should be seen as a national priority. These schools are not just a health initiative — they are a lifeline for many women who otherwise might not survive childbirth,” she stressed.
Madam Besseah believes that with sustained efforts, Ghana can make significant progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1, which targets fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by the year 2030.
“Investing in pregnancy schools is investing in the future of our mothers, our children, and our nation. With the right policies and community engagement, we can turn the tide on maternal mortality,” she concluded.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com/Joseph Marfo
