Ashanti region leads maternal mortality rates in Ghana – Prof Poku Sampene

Prof Paul Poku Sampene Ossei, Consultant Histo- and Forensic Pathologist.

The regions in Ghana with the highest maternal mortality rates at the moment are Ashanti, Eastern, Western, Western North, and Eastern, says Prof Paul Poku Sampene Ossei, Consultant Histo- and Forensic Pathologist.

This is a result of illegal economic operations that contaminate food, water, and air, like surface mining on land and in bodies of water that happen at these areas, he stated.

Prof Paul Poku Sampene Ossei posited that these illegal mining operations are polluting the water, foods and air, which raise the risk of both communicable and non-communicable diseases and cause a corresponding rise in death.

“These are the factors that affect maternal mortality since they are the root cause of many illnesses, including cancer, HIV, malaria, stroke, hypertension, and tuberculosis,” he explained.

Prof Paul Poku Sampene Ossei, who is a former Head of Pathology at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) made the revelation in an interview with Otec FM morning show ‘Nyansapo’ host, Captain Koda, on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.

Prof Paul Poku Sampene advised the government to take quick action to halt the unlawful operations of the environment in order to prevent the rise in deaths in these places.

“The government must double its efforts in clamping down the illegal mining operations along the water bodies and the forests to stop the usage chemical poisons that affect the people’s health,” he stated.

In addition, he said, “the government has to construct additional healthcare facilities, supply them with medications and modern equipment, and hire more doctors to staff them”.

Prof Paul Poku Sampene also advised the public to populace to develop the practice of regularly visiting medical facilities to ascertain their health statuses and receive medical guidance as needed.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah