CLUB WORRIED OVER MATERNAL MORTALITY (PAGE 18)

NESTLE Ghana Duchess Club, a group of women voluntary organisation dedicated to the welfare of women and children, has expressed concern over the high level of maternal and child mortality due to malaria in the country.
“A miscarriage or the death of an expectant mother, or foetus is often the havoc malaria wrecks on our most precious members of our community,” the club observed.
However, according to Madam Cecelia Dei-Anang, the Public Affairs Manager of the club, “the malarial disease need not kill because not only is it preventable, but it is also curable”.
She further stated that “45 children need not die a day in Ghana from this disease, likewise, pregnant women and their unborn children must not be left vulnerable to the ravages of the mosquito parasite”.
Madam Dei-Anang was speaking at a durbar of chiefs and people of Gushie in the Savelugu/Nanton District in the Northern Region.
The durbar formed part of the club’s malarial and nutrition in pregnancy outreach programme in some parts of the country.
The club has so far covered some communities and health centres in the Volta, Eastern, Greater Accra, Central and Western regions. Other regions the members intend to reach out to are the Upper East and Upper West.
The club, which was formed and sponsored by Nestle Ghana Limited, is made up of dedicated group of women from different walks of life that support the welfare of the vulnerable in society.
Ms Dei-Anang also advised the people to always visit designated health centres with their sick wards for proper medical care instead of staying at home or resorting to unprescribed drugs which posed danger to their health.
She also asked them to ensure good environmental sanitation practices at home and their respective communities to guard themselves and their families against contracting communicable disease, including malaria.
According to her, malaria was mainly caused by the anopheles mosquitoes which bred in stagnant water and sucked the human blood to feed.
“In order to prevent the contraction of the disease, there should be cleanliness in the community, as well as the use of treated mosquito nets at homes,” the officer cautioned.
She also counselled the community on proper nutrition and the need to eat balanced diet.
Treated mosquito nets were later distributed to lactating mothers and pregnant women in the community to prevent the spread of the disease.
The Northern Region has recorded high rates of maternal mortality over the years. For instance in 2006 alone, the region recorded 91 maternal deaths.