A Specialist Obstetrician -Gynecologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) Dr. Nita Asamoah-Manu Gyimah, has urged the government to prioritize maternal mental health to improve the well-being of pregnant women with unstable health conditions.
According to her, there is the urgent need for government and stakeholders in healthcare to prioritize maternal mental health to aid in the control of post-partum depression, stress and anxiety that exacerbates the condition of pregnant women after delivery.
She said global evidence propounded that cases of post-partum depression, anxiety, and stress continue to prevail high, and estimated between eight and 18 percent.
Speaking at a ceremony to create awareness of Maternal Mental Health and also solicit funds to support the maternal ward at the Akyem Oda Government Hospital in the Eastern Region, Dr. Nita asserted that Ghana’s context and findings from various studies had revealed a similar trend, hence the demand for the Government to place a premium on maternal mental health to enhance the well-being of women and girls.
On her part, President of the Santé Initiative, a non-governmental organization, Dr. Nana Efa Attafua, expressed appreciation and hoped the appropriate measures would be taken to revamp the maternal mental health in the region.
She underscored the urgency in funds mobilization to support the maternal ward of the Akyem Oda Government Hospital to ensure quality healthcare delivery in the area.
Maternal mental health conditions are highly prevalent in Ghana with some documented evidence of its significant adverse impact on maternal, newborn, and child outcomes as well as long-term growth and cognitive developmental results.
Source: Penttvnewsroom
