Maternal and infant deaths in the Ellembelle district reduced from seven in the second quarter of 2009 to two by the second quarter this year.
In all, 12 maternal deaths were recorded by the end of December 2009 in the district.
This was announced by the Chairman of the District Committee on Promoting Maternal and Infant Survival Experience (PROMISE), Dr. Paul
Cooper, at a stakeholders meeting held at Eikwe in the Western Region.
The meeting, the second of its kind, was on the theme, "Saving Lives of Women and Children: The Role of the Community".
It was aimed at assessing the performance of stakeholders based on the promises they made during their first meeting, held in December 2009 where the district recorded 12 maternal deaths.
Dr. Cooper said there had been a reform on how expectant mothers received treatment, citing the example of the creation of a Recovery Room
with oxygen, pulse oxymeter and ultra scan, to monitor the activities of expectant mothers on the verge of delivery before they were taken to the labour ward.
He noted that the reform had become a success, and called on all stakeholders to contribute to maintain and promote the survival of mothers and infants in the district.
The District Director of the Ghana Health Services, Madam Elizabeth Corney pointed out that the lack of health personnel, coupled with
accommodation, were some of the problems facing the sector.
She noted that with more health personnel there would be further reduction in the number of maternal and infant deaths.
She lauded the MP's mobile-clinic van initiative, as more medical attention would be given to those in the hinterlands who find it difficult to access health care facilities.
The Acting Western Regional Director for Health Services, Dr. Kwaku Anim Karikari said the fight for maternal and infant survival was a shared responsibility, and called on all stakeholders to join the crusade to achieve maternal and infant survival excellence.
He prevailed upon the communities to collaborate with the formal health sector to build sustainable systems, which would safeguard women during pregnancy, delivery and after birth, to ensure the survival of babies.
The Presiding Member of the Ellembelle District Assembly, Mr. Dominic K. Nyanzu, speaking on behalf of the District Chief Executive, Mr. Daniel K. Eshun, said the Assembly had taken steps to ensure the survival of mothers
and children by constructing the road that links Aiyinase-North to the southern part, to help those in that area access health facilities without difficulty.
He noted that access to electricity will also enable nurses accept postings to the rural communities, and therefore revealed that through the efforts of the MP about 11 communities in the district were in the process of being connected to the national electricity grid.
Mr. Nyanzu called on community members to change their attitudes and approaches to issues and adopt the modern ways of catering for pregnant mothers, to ensure their survival.