News
Obstetrician calls for intensive public education on PIH
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Wing-Commander-Dr-Senayah.png&description=Obstetrician calls for intensive public education on PIH', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Wing-Commander-Dr-Senayah.png&description=Obstetrician calls for intensive public education on PIH', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Wing Commander Dr Heindel Tonyi Senayah, a Specialist Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, has called for intensified public education on Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH), to help reduce maternal deaths in Ghana.
PIH also known as gestational hypertension, is a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy characterised by elevated blood pressure occurring after 20 weeks of pregnancy in a previously normotensive woman.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, Dr Senayah, explained that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were among the leading causes of maternal mortality in Ghana, contributing significantly and estimate of about 15 to 20 per cent of maternal deaths.
He described PIH as a potentially life-threatening condition that could deteriorate rapidly if not detected early and managed appropriately yet, remained under-discussed in public health education.
Dr Senayah noted that, although the condition could not be completely reversed until delivery, early detection and proper management including close monitoring, antihypertensive therapy, and timely intervention could significantly improve maternal and fetal outcomes.
“With hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, the clinical condition can worsen unpredictably, which is why careful monitoring and timely decision-making are essential,” he said.
He emphasised that, while delivery of the baby and placenta remained the definitive treatment, the timing of delivery depended on the severity of the disease, gestational age, and the condition of both mother and baby.
Additionally, in severe cases, early delivery may be necessary to safeguard the mother’s life.
Dr Senayah explained that the exact cause of PIH was not fully understood, but it was strongly linked to abnormal placentation and maternal vascular dysfunction.
Current evidence, he disclosed, suggested that a multifactorial origin involving genetic, immunological, and environmental factors contributed to the condition.
“There are several theories, but what is clear is that the placenta plays a central role in the development of the disease,” he noted.
He outlined risk factors including maternal age below 20 years or above 40 years, multiple pregnancy, pre-existing hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and a previous history of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
Dr Senayah clarified that, while some women might not initially show obvious symptoms, warning signs of severe disease may include persistent headache, visual disturbances, upper abdominal pain, and swelling.
Hence, he stressed the importance of regular antenatal monitoring.
He explained that the presence of protein in urine, in addition to hypertension, indicated progression to preeclampsia, a more severe form of the condition.
According to him, most women recover after delivery, although some may continue to have hypertension postpartum and require follow-up care.
He debunked common myths that PIH was caused by the sex of the baby, spiritual factors, or personal habits, stressing that, it was a medical condition requiring timely diagnosis and management.
Dr Senayah advised pregnant women to initiate antenatal care early and attend regularly to enable early detection and management of complications. –GNA
President John Dramani Mahama has called on former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana and face the legal processes surrounding the investigations involving him.
Speaking on the process of extraditing fugitives during his Resetting Ghana Tour in the Volta Region today, Mr. Mahama explained that bringing a person back from another country is a legal matter that must follow international procedures and respect the rights of the individual.
He noted that extradition can only take place if Ghana has an extradition treaty with the country where the individual is staying.
According to him, the requesting country must file an application, after which the person has the right to challenge the request before a judge.
“The person has the right to take a lawyer, go before a judge, and if he doesn’t want to come, he can argue against coming,” the President stated.
Mr. Mahama disclosed that the Attorney General’s Department has already filed an extradition application and is submitting additional documents requested by the relevant authorities.
He added that the matter will eventually be determined by an American judge, who will decide whether Mr. Ofori-Atta should be returned to Ghana.
The President appealed directly to the former Finance Minister to return voluntarily.
Recalling events during Mr. Ofori-Atta’s tenure in office, Mr. Mahama referred to a period when more than 80 Members of Parliament from the then governing New Patriotic Party called for his removal.
He noted that the former minister had responded by saying he was like a father who could not abandon his children.
Drawing on that statement, the President urged him to come back to Ghana.
“We are begging you, Father, come back. Your children are calling you to come back,” Mr. Mahama remarked.
He questioned why someone who believes he has done nothing wrong would leave the country, adding that the legal process should be allowed to take its course.
Mr. Mahama, however, stressed that the matter remains before the courts and will proceed according to the law.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President John Dramani Mahama has stated that the mandate given to him by Ghanaians is for one term, adding that his administration is focused on delivering on the promises made to the people.
Speaking during his ‘Resetting Ghana Tour’ in the Volta Region on Friday, July 17, President Mahama addressed the issue of the ongoing debate over a possible third term, the President maintained that his priority is to fulfil his campaign commitments rather than speculate about another term in office.
“The people of Ghana gave me a mandate for one term, and I am working hard to meet the promises I made them,” he stated. He added that he constantly reminds his ministers to “number our days” so they remain focused on delivering results before the end of their time in office.
Mr. Mahama acknowledged that some individuals have gone to the Supreme Court to seek an interpretation of the constitutional provisions governing the tenure of the President.
He indicated that seeking the court’s interpretation is within their rights but expressed the view that the constitutional provision is already clear.
“If you ask my personal opinion, I believe it is clear. I’ve read it several times, and it says exactly what it means,” the President remarked.
He reiterated that, in his view, Ghanaians have given him one additional term and stressed that he intends to use that period to honour the trust placed in him by the electorate.
By: Jacob Aggrey
