Ghana’s Pregnancy School for pregnant women aims to lower childbirth-associated morbidity and mortality
To reduce morbidity and mortality associated with childbirth in Ghana, the health ministry has launched a pregnancy school.
One of the such is at Peki Government Hospital located in South Dayi District of the Volta Region. The school aims to improve communication on pregnancy and care for newborns.
At the school, informal classes are organized for pregnant women, spouses, families and others.
Dr Alphonse Makafui Dzakpasu, Peki Government Hospital’s Acting Medical Superintendent noted that the school is empowering pregnant women with requisite knowledge on pregnancy, pregnancy care and delivery. It is also enlightening them on issues relating to the various changes associated with trimesters.
According to Dzakpasu, the school has informed the pregnant women on the use of chlorhexidine for the treatment of baby’s umbilical cord.
“Cord care is very important in the prevention of neonatal sepsis,” he said.
According to JOY News, Dzakpasu noted that even though the school is focusing on pregnant women in ensuring that they adhere to the basic principles that govern them and the baby in their womb, it does not replace the focal antenatal services.
He noted that the school is not to encourage teenage pregnancies and therefore admonished teenagers to avoid sexual immorality and focus on their books.
At the launch event, 25 pregnant women that have successfully completed their studies graduated and they described the institution as very helpful.
