Source: MILLENNIUM NEWS ONLINE
Story by: Swalahudeen Yunus Wakpenjo
COMPULSORY DONATION OF BLOOD IN PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES BY EXPECTANT MOTHERS- AS THEY ARE ALLOWED TO LANGUISH IN LABOR FOR FAILING TO DONATE BLOOD
Unaccustomed practice at various health facilities in Ghana may discourage attendance by expectant-mothers, as they are compelled to donate blood before delivery. Several victims of this new directive disclosed this to Millennium News Online.
Narrating her ordeals, expectant mother who spoke to us on face of an anonymity, revealed that, she booked an appointment to attend antenatal with the Ashiaman polyclinic in the Ashiaman Metropolis, in the Greater Accra, and she was told to make available 2pt of blood as requirement before delivery. She said she was told it is now a requirement at all public health facilities to make such compulsory deposit, even when it would not be administered to her. She is however stranded under this directive, because she has no immediate relative to donate on her behalf, and her husband is oversea.
She added that, they issued stern warning to all expectant-mothers in that regard, threatening to prematurely discharge any patient who defy their directives even at point of labor. She further alleged that, they were asked to include, in their delivery luggage, a sum of GHC500 for emergency expenses.
Confirming to the veracity of the situation at hand, vice president of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, Hajia Damata Suleiman, reaffirmed that the directive is from Ghana health service and most private health centers are gradually adopting it, in order to help reduce maternal mortality in Ghana.
According to her, expectant an mother may come with a stable condition which requires no need for blood transfusion; however, situation may change either at the point of delivery or post-delivery, which would call for emergency transfusion, hence, the need for them to deposit blood, in case of any unforeseeable situation.
‘Some women may experience Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery (SVD), but things may get out of hand in a matter of seconds which will cause the woman to lose plenty of blood, especially those with less than 11points of blood before delivery, and there will be the need for immediate transfusion. That is why it is included as requirement to help save the woman during that situation.’ She remarked.
She however slammed Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health for doing little or no effort at all, with regards to education and awareness creation, which would prepare expectant mothers, physically, emotionally and psychologically throughout their period of pre and post natal. She stressed that it is about time Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Education established radio and television channels, purposely for transmission information on health.
‘Let me take this opportunity to admonish those unscrupulous spiritual and prayer centers, who have turned their centers to delivery homes, thereby causing damages to prospective mother. Their work is to preach and pray, not to deliver pregnant mothers. And if they enjoy the profession, they should go for professional training, instead of hoodwinking their victims to believe everything is about spirituality.’ She fumed.
According to her, sometimes, these hoodwinkers after causing damage, would bring patients in devastating situation, hoping, the midwife on duty will conjure miracle to save the mess. She urged expectant mothers to endure making health facilities their first point of call during pregnancy and other health related situation to help detect and deal with any situation before it escalates.
Hajia said, pregnant women are usually advised to keep an extra sum of money with them for their own good, because, during delivery, PIH situations such as, cervical tear, perennial tear, clitoral tear, atony uterus, post-partum hemorrhages PPH, anti-partum hemorrhage APH among others, are eventualities that may occur after delivery, which requires referral or the need to procure some medications. These are usually unplanned incidents that must be prepared for before delivery and monies must be available to hire an ambulance in the case of referral, asserting that, ‘if midwives ask you to bring money or anything to the hospital, it is for your own direct or indirect benefit.’
Millennium New Online therefore urge the authorities in charge to do everything possible to make this situation as accommodating, affordable and comprehensive as possible in order to prevent the mass from losing hope in the health sector.