The President of the Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRMA), Mrs Netta Forson Ackon, called for improved working conditions of its members to enable them discharge their duties efficiently.According to her, midwives, apart from playing a very critical role in the delivery of healthcare in the country also go through a lot of mental torture in the performance of their duties, especially in conflict zones."As key players in the lives of the next generation of Ghanaians, we continue to urge our employers to improve our working conditions and implement the collective agreement to motivate our midwives to perform even better," she stressed.Mrs Ackon made the call at the launch of a durbar and awards ceremony for 23 midwives here last Monday to herald the International Day of Midwives (IDM)Organised by the GRMA, the IDM is held on May 5, every year to recognise the vital contributions of midwives in healthcare delivery and emphasise the improvements still required to ensure that all women in Ghana have access to a qualified midwife (skilled attendant) at all times.This year's event is on the theme: "Midwives critical in every crisis," and would acknowledged the essential services midwives provided to guarantee that every woman and her newborn received prompt access to the best possible care before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth.Mrs Ackon said midwives continued to experience mental torture especially during the ongoing Bawku conflicts as the work during critical curfew hours to perform deliveries.She said they were sometimes forced to risk their lives to seek support and travel outside to ensure that mothers have access to higher lifesaving care.The president described midwives as beacon of hope in areas affected by conflict and migration challenges as they ensure that internally-displaced women and refugee mothers, received quality maternal health care, even under pressure and often with limited resources.The Deputy Director of the Ghana Health Services, Dr Mrs Caroline Reindorf Amissah, applauded midwives for the important role they play in maternal and child health even in very most challenging circumstances."Midwives are the backbone of maternal and child health services.
In Ghana, you provide essential service to the pregnant woman, the newborn and families," she added.The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, noted the commitment and crucial role midwives played in health delivery particularly maternal mortality in the region, adding that, they remained resolute despite the community in which they resided.The Omanhene of Essikado, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, told the midwives "Your humility is unbelievable; your services to save human life is unsurpassable.
You are our 'saviours'.
We are proud of you." FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, TAKORADI
