MBFHI Improves Healthcare Delivery in Upper East Region

The implementation of the Mother Baby Friendly Health Initiative (MBFHI) facility in some selected communities in the Upper East Region has significantly improved maternal healthcare delivery in the Region.

According to the Upper East Regional Health Directorate, the MBFHI Facility has significantly contributed to the reduction in maternal mortality rate in the implemented districts as well as increased infant healthcare.

These were made known at the third regional quarterly review of the MBFHI project, which ended this year after being implemented since November 2015.

The project, which is being implemented by the GHS and the Integrated Youth Needs and Welfare (INTYON), had funding support from the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The initiative being piloted in the Bolgatanga and Bawku Municipalities, and the Bongo and Kassena-Nankana West Districts, was aimed to advocate early breastfeeding within 30 minutes after birth, promote exclusive breastfeeding and ensure the well being of lactating mothers and their babies.

Dr Winfred Ofosu, Regional Director of Health, said maternal mortality rate in the Region had drastically reduced across operational districts and the survival rate of newly born babies has also increased.

The initiative, he indicated, had encouraged more pregnant and lactating mothers to visit the health facilities at all times and this had led to reduction in the maternal mortality rate and improvement of health of mothers and children.

“Bongo District has recorded zero maternal mortality deaths since 2017 and other districts like Bolgatanga have also seen some reduction in maternal mortality rate and the survival rate of mothers and babies has seen a good increase,” Dr Ofosu revealed.

Dr Ofosu advocated collective efforts from all stakeholders to sustain and improve upon the gains the Region had chalked as a result of the implementation of the project, and admonished the residents to constantly assist pregnant women to access healthcare.

Ms Rofina Asuru, the Regional Newborn Focal Person of the GHS, said the programme was about taking accounts of the impact the MBFHI project has had in the Region since its implementation in terms of promoting quality healthcare.

She explained that the project had offered skills training to midwives in heath facilities in their operational zone to help save lives of mothers and new babies.

“We have put a sense of urgency in providing quality healthcare to the people in the Region and five new born units have been created.

“In the past years babies less than 1.2 Kilograms could not survive and will be left to die. But now with the project that was implemented, babies of 1.0 Kg are now safe when sent to the unit,” Ms Asuru revealed.

Source: GNA