Ghana Health Service(GHS) reports that approximately 50,000 babies die from birth asphyxia in Ghana annually.
However, the actual number might be higher as some cases occurring during home deliveries or outside, according to Programme Manager for Newborn and Child Health of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Edward Antwi.
“In Ghana, on the average, one million babies are born every year, and with the current neonatal mortality rate of 17 per 1,000 live births, it means for every one million births, about 170,000 are dying, and out of this, 30 per cent are dying from birth asphyxia,” Dr Antwi said.
He made the statement while speaking at a conference on July 25, 2023, on the theme: “Imagine Ghana without Birth”.
“Even though we do not know the true extent, even with the conservative information we have, about 30 per cent of all babies in Ghana die from birth asphyxia,” Dr Antwi added.
Birth asphyxia occurs when a baby’s brain and other organs do not receive sufficient oxygen and nutrients before, during, or immediately after birth.
This condition can occur before birth in the womb, leading to stillbirths, or during prolonged labor.
Dr. Antwi highlighted that one of the issues contributing to the problem was the level of commitment among health workers. He advised health workers to enhance their commitment levels, emphasizing the importance of providing efficient and prompt health services.
During the 11th annual national newborns conference held in Cape Coast, stakeholders in neonatal care and child health focused their discussions on the crucial goal of reducing neonatal deaths, particularly cases of asphyxia, throughout the country.
The conference, which commenced last Tuesday, gathered approximately 100 participants who deliberated on various strategies to achieve this objective.
Key topics of discussion included finding ways to decrease the occurrence of asphyxia, reinforcing sick newborn care at referral district hospitals, and providing vital support to newborns suffering from asphyxia to enhance their chances of survival, among other important issues.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Central Regional Director of Health, Dr. Akosua Sarpong, the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, emphasized the critical nature of the first hour of a newborn’s life.
He acknowledged the significant progress in reducing neonatal deaths to 17 per 1,000 live births, although there remains work to be done to achieve the targeted rate of 12 per 1,000 live births.
The Minister identified several factors contributing to asphyxia deaths in newborns, including inadequate equipment and staff, delayed referrals, and insufficient education on breastfeeding.
Mr. Agyeman-Manu affirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to further reducing newborn deaths and urged health workers and managers to foster effective collaboration in order to lower the incidence of birth asphyxia.
He also expressed gratitude to the partners for their ongoing support to the Ministry, contributing to the improvement of health indicators.
theindependentghana.com
