The incumbent member of Parliament for the Bolgatanga Central constituency in the Upper East Region of Ghana, Hon. Isaac Adongo, has chastised his main contender, Mr. Elvis Atia Awunekai Figo, for not being his match in the upcoming 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The lawmaker made this comment after donating 15 beds, mattresses, and accessories to the Bolgatanga Municipal Health Directorate. He noted that his track record in the constituency has proven he is more effective than the president and the vice president, who is now the presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party. Adongo emphasized that Elvis Atia Awunekai can not compare himself to him in terms of development in the Bolgatanga Central constituency. Despite the constituency’s size, his achievements are visible in all communities.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Upper East Region reported a decline in maternal deaths from 43 in 2021 to 27 in 2022, representing an institutional maternal mortality ratio of 65 deaths per 100,000 live births for 2022, compared to 98 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021. However, from January to June 2024, the Upper East Region recorded over 24 maternal deaths, with statistics indicating that Ghana’s maternal mortality rate (MMR) is estimated at 310 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Hon. Isaac Adongo explained that the donation was prompted by the increasing concerns of his constituents throughout the constituency. “We have focused a lot on dealing with that problem. When I received the numbers for maternal deaths in Cocoa and surrounding areas, I was very concerned. In Cocoa, we had about 350 women giving birth under unsafe conditions because the facility is just a CHPS (Community-based Health Planning and Services) and lacks the necessary mid-referral services.”
He added that many women have to travel long distances for care. “I decided to construct a maternity center to provide family planning and healthcare support for the catchment area. We are also dealing with 250 births that occur under unsafe conditions, which is why I constructed a maternal center there. Unfortunately, the Ghana Health Service has been constrained in their efforts to equip and make these centers fully functional.”
Mr. Tindan Louis, who received the items on behalf of the Bolgatanga Municipal Health Directorate, expressed gratitude for the donation, stating that these items will greatly support the directorate in serving clients, whether in labor or admission. He noted that the new beds will help augment the limited number of beds currently available in the system.
Source: mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Ayuureneeya