Monrovia – Liberia’s Ministry of Health and its partners have stressed the need to render more support to reduce the high maternal mortality rate in the country.
Report by Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Speaking at the launch of an assessment report on the importance of maternal waiting homes in Liberia, the Acting Minister of Health, Norwu Horward called for a concerted effort in the fight against maternal mortality in the country.
The study, entitled Strengthening the Evidence on Maternal Waiting Homes: An Assessment of 100+ Homes in Liberia was conducted by Africare and the University of Michigan in partnership with the Ministry of Health and funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
During the study, the team visited and assessed more than 100 Maternal Waiting Homes (MWHs) throughout Liberia. The outcomes of the Liberia study will help to improve and perfect the MWH model and ensure that MWHs are providing the care needed to help save the lives of women and infants in Africa.
Minister Howard lauded Africare-Liberia and the Michigan University for such initiative and assured them of government’s commitment in working with all partners to join efforts to address issues affecting maternal health in the country.
she declared that the government under the leadership of Pres. Weah was doing everything possible to help fight the alarming situation that characterizes Liberia’s maternal health.
According to her, the Weah administration was deeply concerned about addressing those issues that are undermining maternal health in Liberia; she noted that the government appreciates the efforts of the two groups.
She said the high mortality rate of 1072 deaths in every 100,000-delivery case was appalling and disclosed that the government has set the target of reducing the ratio to 497 in every 100,000 births by 2023.
“Too many women in our country are dying because of pregnancy-related incident. That should not be the case. Our target is reducing the mortality rate from 1072 to 497 for 100,000 by 2023. In order to achieve this ambitious goal for the next five years, we all must roll up our sleeves and work,” she intoned.
Addressing the gathering, Madam Faith Akovi Cooper, Country Director of Africare Liberia assured the participants about the readiness of Africare to work with government to fight maternal deaths in the country.
She indicated that fighting maternal deaths in Liberia needed the support of all stakeholders, including Liberian health practitioners and international partners.
Dr. Jody Lori, the Associate Dean of Global Health at the University of Michigan School of Nursing called on all stakeholders to join the fight in reducing maternal death in Liberia.
“We should be angry with the fact that we are losing women on a daily basis,” she averred.
Meanwhile, the assessment revealed that maternal waiting homes are vital in the fight to reducing maternal deaths in Liberia but highlighted that they lack adequate support.