Health Essentials
‘Every birth counts’: The critical need to improve emergency maternal care in Ghana
Imagine a young woman in labour, her heart racing, her unborn child in distress. She arrives at a district hospital — tired, scared, and in need of immediate care. What happens next determines whether she lives, whether her baby survives — and whether another Ghanaian family is shattered by a preventable loss.
A recent study in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region is shedding new light on the realities of emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) in Ghana. The findings are sobering — but they also reveal a clear path forward.
Why this matters now
Despite progress in maternal health, far too many Ghanaian women are still dying from childbirth-related complications. Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio is estimated at 308 per 100,000 live births — nearly 20 times higher than the average in high-income countries.
“We know what the problems are, and we know how to solve them,” says Dr Reuben Esena, one of the study authors. “The question is: are we willing to invest where it matters most — in women’s lives?”
What the study found
The research, published in the International Journal of Science Academic Research, evaluated three key hospitals — St. Martins Catholic Hospital, Atua Government Hospital, and Akuse Government Hospital — which serve a population of over 108,000 in Lower Manya Krobo.
The study reviewed 271 cases of obstetric complications and found that the most common were:
– Foetal distress (18 per cent)
– Complications from previous C-sections (13 per cent)
– Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (8 per cent)
– Cephalopelvic disproportion and breech deliveries (7 per cent)
These complications are not rare, nor are they unpredictable. Most are entirely preventable or manageable — with timely intervention and well-equipped facilities.
A mixed picture: Progress and gaps
The good news? All three hospitals provide round-the-clock EmONC services, staffed by midwives, medical officers, and anaesthetists. Life-saving drugs like oxytocin and magnesium sulfate are widely available. Caesarean sections and manual placenta removal are routinely performed when needed.
The bad news? None of the facilities had an infant laryngoscope — essential for newborn resuscitation. Only one had ergometrine to control bleeding after childbirth. And not a single case utilised assisted vaginal delivery — even where it might have been appropriate.
In some cases, multiple complications overlapped, such as foetal distress plus severe pre-eclampsia. For a woman in that situation, every minute counts. Every delay risks two lives — or more.
Who’s Most at Risk?
Women aged 25–29 years had the highest number of complications — a reminder that even “prime age” pregnancies can be dangerous without the right support. But adolescents and women over 40 faced some of the most severe risks, including eclampsia, foetal death, and difficult labour.
“Our younger girls, especially those between 15–19 years, are particularly vulnerable,” the study noted. “They come late to the hospital, sometimes after trying traditional remedies at home. By the time they arrive, it’s often too late.”
A national crisis demands national response
The maternal health challenges in Lower Manya Krobo reflect a broader national reality. Many districts across Ghana lack the full complement of staff, drugs, and equipment required for quality EmONC services.
But the solutions are not out of reach.
So what must we do?
1. Invest in life¬-saving supplies and training: Every hospital handling deliveries should be equipped with the full range of emergency tools — including items as simple, but critical, as an infant laryngoscope or ergometrine injection.
2. Improve documentation and digital health systems: Accurate records allow clinicians to track complications and adjust care accordingly. Ghana’s shift to digital health must prioritise maternal health systems.
3. Decentralise comprehensive EmONC: More health centres and CHPS compounds need capacity to offer basic EmONC. Complications don’t wait for referrals — care must be accessible at the first point of contact.
4. Promote community education: Women and families must be educated on the importance of antenatal care, early referrals, and hospital deliveries, especially in rural areas where myths and delays still cost lives.
Every woman deserves a safe birth
This study is more than data — it’s a call to action. Behind every statistic is a mother, a child, a family. Ghana has the knowledge, the workforce, and the policy framework to make maternal death a thing of the past.
What remains is commitment — not just in funding, but in leadership, in community involvement, and in valuing every single life.
As the researchers conclude: “Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care is not a privilege. It is a right — and one that Ghana must deliver.”
By Henry Okorie Ugorji
IF you truly love yourself, you had better read this piece while standing!
The other “inactivity” that rivals sitting for long periods when it comes to poor health and untimely death is LONLINESS! Sitting and Loneliness are the new Smoking.
It is often common to hear a parent tell a child, “Sit quietly and watch television and I will make a quick dash to town.” Well, this harmless and well-meaning statement is now being vilified. That parent could have said “smoke a few sticks of cigarettes while I dash off to town.” Yes “sitting is the “new” smoking.”
Scientists: they keep coming up with many weird findings and unfortunately, we realise after much ado that they may be right. People with sitting jobs have twice the rate of cardiovascular (heart & blood vessel) diseases as those with standing jobs – the bankers are cringing in their seats I bet.
It appears that compared to sitting,
• Sitting continuously brings similar challenges that smoking poses a gossip team. After an hour of sitting, if you walk for a minute or two.
Standing is hard work. Imagine that you need to engage many muscles to stand upright, and this burns energy. Sitting on the other hand is extremely relaxing.
When we sit, the “physiology of inactivity” kicks in and when we think we are relaxing in a chair made from heaven, our body instead rewards us with many bad things; enzymes that break down fat may drop by about 90 per cent calorie burning drops to frightening low levels and soon good cholesterol that protects us also drops. If you sit long enough even your insulin effectiveness drops and you will be courting diabetes in the long run.
I sincerely believe in getting a workout during the day, but you should not think that it gives you a license to sit at your desk for hours on end. We should ensure that we get up from our desk to walk briefly or even stretch. I am not giving you an excuse for loitering around your office or forming ings. When you have a meeting with a handful of people you could lace your boots and start walking while you talk. Who knows being out of a box (office etc) could help you think “out of the box” or even think like “there is no box”. The best aspect of such a meeting is people are more attentive since they are unable to fidget with their smart phones and other gadgets.
All lectures and classes (children are really suffering in school these days) should have a “Heart Preserving” five-minute break after every hour. Spend that time walking and stretching.
All long movies should have commercial breaks that should be used to at least stand
Whenever in doubt, at least stand for a while.
Well some people are trying innovative ways of even having small treadmills at their desk that keeps them moving, others are adopting a new chair design that essentially makes you stand at your desk, a few others sit on exercise balls that forces them to adjust their positions all the time but for the rest of us simply taking breaks and using every opportunity to move is just what the doctor prescribed.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERY DAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials/Medics Clinic
(www.healthessentialsgh.com)
Dr. Essel is a medical doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – For good heart health; exercise often, eat healthy, do not smoke, minimise alcohol and sit less
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
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I have on several occasions referred to laughter as the “best medicine” just as many others do and over the years, I have expanded my knowledge on the benefits of laughter. We all need to laugh daily and that’s the prescription given by the best doctors all over the world.
I came across the quote “Laughter is the best medicine. Unless you’re laughing for no reason….then you need medicine.” It sounds great and will get you laughing or at least smiling yet I beg to differ. My advice: find a reason to laugh no matter what and if you find none laugh anyway.
A few years ago, I decided to spend my first three hours of being awake laughing or smiling no matter what. It set the tone for a successful day. I did not bother about the early morning traffic, neither did I scream or honk at careless drivers but I guess as the years dragged on and the reality of fuel price hikes, electricity challenges and an ailing Ghana economy among many others hit home, the smile and laughter faded but I ALWAYS get back once I realise I am “short-changing” myself. No matter the struggles you may be facing, remember laughing or smiling will surely make your day so much better.
My prescription for you and myself is “Laugh at least five minutes in the morning and five minutes at the end of the day” no matter what. Do it even if you have no reason to.
Now what does science say about laughter?
1. It helps make the world a better place
a. Laughter is contagious so set the ball rolling by laughing and many others will join in the fun.
2. You learn better
Well, no need to get all serious and mean while you learn something new. A good dose of laughter while you learn may actually make the process more efficient. Word of caution, DO NOT distract others by laughing in an annoying way.
3. You get a health boost
a. We know this, right? I found out that laughter may actually increase good cholesterol while lowering inflammation. We do need more data on this but really, keep laughing, it can’t possibly harm you.
4. Makes you more robust
a. A nervous laughter when your back is against the wall? Laughter helps regulate your emotions in a difficult situation. Crying or frowning is unlikely to have positive returns.
5. Lowers stress and improves memory
a. Stress hormones, especially in the elderly, is reduced by laughter and one’s ability to remember gets a much-needed spike.
6. Makes you more attractive
a. People are always attracted to a “smiling face” or someone who laughs often. They make the party come alive.
7. Improves your relationship
a. Whether you are negotiating a deal at work, interacting with family or friends; laughter creates stronger bonds leading to better outcomes and building stronger relationships.
8. May help burn off some calories
Now I may be pushing this too much, but truth is laughter does raise your energy expenditure and heart rate. Though the calories you burn may be fewer per bout of laughter, every positive thing adds up for our good.
9. Boosts immune function and enhances sleep
a. Say goodbye to frequent common colds and laying in bed for long hours listening to the dogs in the neighbourhood “chitchatting”, a leaking tap dripping or worse still a snore within earshot that will compete with Louis Armstrong on the trumpet.
b. Combine laughter with your daily dose of exercise, and your winning combination is a reality.
10. May improve blood pressure and relax muscles
a. I will not advise you to drop your medication for all day laughter but I am sure laughter will play a positive role in reducing stress, giving you a feeling of wellbeing, relaxing your muscles in the process and your blood pressure may be sending you a thank you beat sooner than later.
Good health, improved learning ability and an enviable memory packaged with an attractive personality and a penchant to build strong relationships sounds like a team player who is destined for success in all fields. That you may agree will make your trips to the bank exciting and of course cause you to laugh all the way to the bank. The cycle repeats itself.Have you had your daily dose of laughter yet?
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/Medics Clinic
(www.healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – “laughter is contagious – Laugh and the whole world laughs with you.”-
References:
1. Fulfillment Daily -7 science-backed reasons why laughing is good for you (2016)
2. Stanford Business
3. Someecards
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
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