Dr Eric Yao Amakpa of the Volta Regional Hospital in Ho has identified a number of problems hindering safe motherhood practices in the country.
He said apart from the deplorable conditions in some health institutions, accessibility to such facilities tended to compound the conditions of some expectant mothers, adding that some pregnant women also resort to attending prayer camps for ‘safe deliveries’ instead of visiting antenatal clinics.
Delivering a lecture on the topic, "Maternal Health Situation in the Volta Region" in Ho last Monday, Dr Amakpa said expectant women were ignorant of dangerous signs that required immediate medical attention and they tended to delay before visiting health facilities.
He said emergency services at some health facilities were also lacking, due to inadequate health personnel and equipment at the hospitals.
The one-week workshop, which attracted 20 participants including medical officers and midwives, was sponsored by the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV).
Dr Amakpa mentioned that in all parts of the country, severe bleeding, making up 25 per cent, had been identified as a major cause of maternal mortality, followed by infection (sepsis) 15 per cent, with unsafe abortions constituting 12 per cent.
The rest are, eclapsia, eight per cent; obstructed labour, eight per cen; and other causes accounting for 20 per cent.
He said in the Volta Region, eclapsia topped the list with others like sepsis, cardiac arrest and other unknown causes accounting for other cases of maternal mortality.
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