Accra, Ghana – The Greater Accra Region in 2023 saw a concerning number of maternal deaths, with 20 percent attributed to eclampsia, according to Dr. Akosua Agyeiwaa Owusu-Sarpong, the Regional Director of Health Services. Eclampsia is a serious condition characterized by convulsions in pregnant women with high blood pressure, often leading to coma and posing risks to both the mother and baby.
During the 2024 World Pre-Eclampsia Day event at the Shai-Osudoku District Hospital, Dr. Owusu-Sarpong emphasized the prevalence of pre-eclampsia in Sub-Saharan Africa, citing it as one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in Ghana. She urged pregnant women to seek prompt medical assistance from health facilities instead of turning to religious organizations as a first resort.
Nana Ayerkie Yotsu III, the Queen Mother of Dodowa, presided over the event aimed at raising awareness among pregnant women about the critical importance of early intervention for pre-eclampsia. The launch featured role-plays and spoken word performances by hospital staff, encouraging pregnant women to heed healthcare providers’ advice and dispel misconceptions about the condition.
Under the theme “Predict, Prevent, Prevail,” Dr. Owusu-Sarpong highlighted the severe maternal and fetal complications that can arise from pre-eclampsia, such as eclampsia, placental abruption, fetal growth restriction, and premature delivery. Dr. Kennedy Tetteh Coffee Brightson, the Medical Superintendent of Shai-Osudoku District Hospital, reiterated the facility’s commitment to reducing maternal mortality, particularly from pre-eclampsia.
Dr. Brightson emphasized the district’s proactive approach in monitoring pregnant women, ensuring their safety through home visits and medication compliance checks. He urged pregnant women to prioritize hospital visits for medical treatment over seeking deliverance at prayer camps. Dr. Frank Kwasi Nyabe, Obstetrician and Gynecologist at the hospital, underscored the signs of pre-eclampsia, including severe headaches, convulsions, visual disturbances, abdominal pain, and abnormal weight gain.
Overall, the event shed light on the importance of early detection and management of pre-eclampsia to prevent maternal deaths and safeguard the well-being of both mothers and babies. Pregnant women were encouraged to prioritize their health and seek timely medical care for the best possible outcomes.