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Healthy mothers’ month is being celebrated in Dessie, Amhara Regional State under the slogan "Let's work together to stop maternal mortality due to postpartum hemorrhage and any other causes". The State Minister of Health, Dr. Dereje Duguma, said more than 30 mothers die every day in the country due to childbirth. He noted that the problem could worsen in areas such as Dessie, where the TPLF has been waging war and looting, adding that all parties should work hard to address the regions health problems.
"Even if the terrorist group destroys and plunders the health facilities, they will not be able to affect our strong morale; by working together, we can better provide health care for mothers and others,” the State Minister said.
Dr. Dereje said it is important to organize health facilities, trained professionals, medicines and necessary resources to reduce maternal mortality. He said the Ministry of Health is working hard to achieve this. He said the ministry is working with partners to pay special attention to the looted and destroyed health facilities by TPLF terrorist group. However, he called on the leadership and the community at all levels to work together as the issue of mothers is not limited to the Ministry of Health and the health professionals. The Ministry of Health also announced a strategy to significantly reduce maternal mortality over the next five years.
Amhara State Health Bureau Deputy Head, Dr. Gashu Kindu, on his part said efforts are being made to reduce maternal mortality in the state. However, he said the terrorist group has caused a lot of damage and looting to health facilities in the region. He said efforts are being made to overcome these problems and provide health facilities to the affected areas. So far, some facilities have been partially operational, and he called on all parties to support the facilities so that they can serve the community to the fullest.
Dr. Meseret Zelalem, Director of the Maternal and Child Health Directorate of the Ministry of Health, presented a discussion paper during the Healthy Maternity Month in Dessie. She said mothers could lose their lives due to three delays during childbirth: mothers do not go to the health facility, lack of basic infrastructure and transportation, and lack of quality and equitable services after arriving at the health facility. She explained that there is a need to work together to address these three delays.
In this regard, the Ministry of Health is working on all structures to ensure prenatal care for mothers. She said huge investments are being made to provide ambulances, trained technicians and necessary inputs to the health facilities. According to Dr. Meseret, “we need to work together with other sectors to address the delays, especially those related to infrastructure.” She said all stakeholders in the health sector and other sectors should make combating maternal mortality a priority.
She added that special attention will be given to areas affected by the war and drought-affected areas.