Mad. Ntoso presenting award to Dr. Kumi |
The
Ho Municipal hospital in Volta region which
was hitherto regarded as a ‘death camp’ for expectant mothers has for the first
time, recorded zero maternal death in the last one year.
The
facility attained this feat between June 2013 and June 2014, down from 14
deaths in 2012, and three deaths in the first half of 2013.
To
this end, nine midwives and two doctors were on Tuesday honoured by the
Queenmothers of Asogli traditional area for their efforts in reducing maternal
mortality.
At the maiden award ceremony, the Queenmothers
honoured Dr Lawrence Kumi, Medical Superintendent of the Hospital and Dr Tamara
Alvarez Ramirez from Cuba, for their ‘good leadership and dedication’ in
changing the image of the Hospital.
Other awardees included Madam Innocentia Anthonio, a
Principal Nursing Officer in charge of the Maternity ward, Elizabeth Kpesese,
Victoria Aggor, Elizabeth Klu, Agnes Asigbe, and four others.
The awardees were selected through the
recommendations of mothers who attended the hospital in a two month radio
phone-in programme.
The Queenmother of Ho-Dome and initiator of the
award, Mama Attrato II disclosed that the Asogli Queenmothers two years ago planned
to protest against the rate at which pregnant women were losing their lives at
the facility.
She therefore described the hospital’s feat as a
great achievement, worthy of celebration and commended the midwives for turning
the situation around.