The people of Nanung, particularly women, in the farming community of Nakpayili in the Nanumba South District of Northern Region, have heaved a sigh of relief.
This follows the construction of an ultra-modern maternity ward at the only health facility in the Nakpayili community to support expectant mothers during pregnancy and labour.
Prior to the construction of the maternity ward, expectant mothers in the community used to travel very far to Wulensi, and Bimbila to access pregnancy and delivery services. Others also relied heavily on traditional herbal health products for maintenance of pregnancy cases and delivery, therefore, troubling many expectant mothers in the area.
Consequently, the construction of the new maternity block, at the Nakpayili CHPS compound is to provide quality maternity care for about thirty communities within the Nanumba South District of Northern Region.
Women in this communities would regularly visit the facility to access quality healthcare during pregnancy and labour.
Once labour starts, women within the beneficiary communities would have an opportunity to move to the facility so that labour and giving birth can be assisted by a skilled birth attendant.
The aim of the facility is to improve accessibility to skilled care, and thus reduce morbidity and mortality for mothers and neonates, should complications arise.
The Abuya Foundation conducted some studies, and obtained reports of a favourable effect on the outcome for women and their newborns, which informed the decision to establish the facility that was commissioned last Friday 8th December, 2023.
Speaking at the commissioning of the facility, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Abuya Group, Alhaji Aminu Iddrisu said he was very familiar with challenges facing the communities in Nanung, particularly in Nakpayili and therefore, would always work with stakeholders to address them without any hesitation.
The midwife at the facility Jennifer Akutto, explained that the impact the maternity ward would make in the beneficiary communities would be huge considering the equipments accompanying the maternity ward.
She disclosed that at least, more than thirty communities in the area would benefit directly and indirectly from the services of the facility.
The man in charge of the health facility (CHPS) compound Evans Kipoo, could not hold back his joy following the commissioning of the ultra-modern edifice with the best of equipment installed.
He emphasized the positive role the maternity block would play in changing the narrative of the health sector in the community.
National Chairman of opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketsia, who was one of the dignitaries who graced the occasion, lauded the CEO of Abuya Group Alhaji Aminu Iddrisu for using the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of his companies, that is Abuya Foundation, to touch lives and to also offer social services to helpless communities through important community projects
Johnson Asiedu Nketsia noted, “we politicians are all fighting for development. And so, if there is a non-politician who is a citizen and he is also engaged in development, it means that at that point, our interests coincide. And so, we must assist each other in this endeavor and that is why we are here. You heard about the story of Alhaji Abuya, beginning from the construction of a school for his community, then he followed to construct a Mosque, that is a prayer house. And today, he has completed a maternity ward, which signifies the beginning of life. So, all the three key projects are projects that have been carefully selected and I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart”.
The chances of women dying because of complications of pregnancy and childbirth are still high in many parts of Ghana and around the world.
The main direct causes of maternal and perinatal deaths are unsafe abortion, eclampsia, haemorrhage, obstructed labour, infections and sepsis.
Most of these deaths can be prevented with early identification and treatment of complications. But it would depend on the capacity and availability of capable hands and machines at the facility.
The poor utilization of maternal health services and antenatal care in areas where deaths are high, is mainly the result of barriers to access quality healthcare.
Story By: Alhassan Yakubu |www.diamondfmonline.com |Ghana.
