NGO expresses worry about lack of Midwives at CHPS Compounds

Serigu–Nyorkokor, Sept. 26, GNA - Dr Michael Wombeogo, the Executive Director of the Participatory Action for Rural Development Alternatives (PARDA), a Non-Governmental Organization, has expressed worry about the lack of midwives in some Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) in the Upper East Region.

He said his outfit over the years had embarked on community mobilization, advocacy and sensitization programmes aimed at getting more midwives into the CHPS compounds without getting the much needed results.  

The Director of PARDA expressed the concern during a durbar held at Serigu–Nyorkokor near the Bolgatanga Municipality aimed at getting the support of the community members to help confront the cultural barriers that prevented the adoption of optimal breastfeeding behaviour.

At the durbar, a project dubbed, “Mother Baby Friendly Health Facility Initiative (MBFHI) Project” was launched.

The project is to ensure increased demand for ante-natal and post natal services, early initiation of breast feeding by every new mother within 30 minutes after birth, exclusive breastfeeding and promotion of basic essential new-born care including Kangaroo Mother Care.

Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with support from UNICEF Ghana and the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the MBFHI would target traditional rulers, mothers of new born babies, pregnant women, husbands, mothers-in-law, community leaders, religious leaders, the informal sector actors and change agents at the Serigu-Nyorkoku community and communities in the Municipality.

The project, he noted was also targeting persons and groups to be taught proper cord care among others, using existing GHS protocols and the need to provide respectful, courteous and supportive facility-based care for every mother and every baby at the health facility level as well as increase demand for optimal breastfeeding, skill delivery and maternal and new born care services in line with the national newborn strategy and the SDGs.

He said advocacy programme would also focus on areas including care during pregnancy, labour and delivery; postnatal care with more emphasis on the first 24 hours and first week of life; early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding of up to six months including lactation management, infant and young child feeding; as well as care of the sick child and good hygiene practices.

Mrs Ameyure Eunice, a Nutrition Officer used the occasion to educate the community members about the importance of exclusive breast feeding and the need for mothers to visit health facilities regularly to access healthcare and to give birth there.

The Assembly Man for the Serigu–Nyorkokor Electoral Area, Mr Francis Amoah, urged traditional and religious leaders including husband to ensure exclusive breastfeeding by their mothers, sisters and wives and to avoid negative cultural practices such as mixing of traditional medicines for newborn babies   

GNA

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