Addressing the 2016 Annual PCMH Review Meeting on Friday February 24, 2017 in the conference hall of the Barlette Farm, Kennedy Street in Freetown, Dr. Koroma reiterated the commitment of the Health Ministry, the hospital and government in the fight against maternal deaths and newborn mortality in the country.
He said hemorrhage is a serious concern being the first leading cause, adding that with the measures now put in place for antenatal care services within the hospital setting and with patients’ family members the education on mortality due to eclampsia among pregnant women will be reduced. Some of the causes he said are due to ignorance, late arrival and delay in accessing thehealth facilities which make the situation challenging most of the time but that they are poised to airlift quality service to international standard with support from government and partners.
Dilating on the availability of blood in the hospital, Dr. Koroma said it is a serious concern especially in getting patient’s relative to donate, more so when there is shortage or the absence of donors. Some relative he observed abandoned their patient no sooner blood donation is mentioned. This he said is a challenge but optimistic that with the education and sensitization at the outpatient and Antenatal clinics to raise awareness the situation will improve. For Blood donation, Dr. Koroma reiterated, the donor must be 18 years and above, healthy and free from diseases such as HIV, syphilis, hepatitis among other illnesses.
Dr. Koroma said the other area of concern is the rate of teenage pregnancy, adding that though a problem, he appreciates the move of accessing the health facility than going to unskilled Midwives or Traditional Birth Attendants.
The other concern highlighted is the growing movement of trained and qualified Midwives leaving their duty stations to pursue training in Public Health, taking into consideration the area of brain drain and the inadequate Midwives in the country.
Other highlights include cases of non-communicable diseases, the critical tendencies, and direct specific fatality rate.
