focusses on women, child-bearing and issues of maternal health.
Important date such as 5th of May, was the International Day of the Midwife; Mother's Day on the 9th of May; World Preeclampsia Day on 22nd of May as well the international day to end obstetrics fistula on 23rd of May.
Mr Speaker, although Ghana's maternal mortality rate has declined significantly from 760 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 308 per 100,000 live births in 2017, the pace of decline in maternal mortality has been slow, and this has led to Ghana's inability to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (SDG) target of 190 per 100,000 live births in 2015. The maternal mortality ratio remains high and requires strenuous efforts if Ghana is to achieve a SDG target of 70 per 100,000 live births in 2030.
Mr Speaker, one of the top five pregnancy-related causes of maternal deaths in Ghana is preeclampsia. Preeclampsia, a pregnancy induced hypertension condition, is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet perspectives of the patient about the condition is
not well understood. Preeclampsia has been identified as a significant public health threat in both developed and developing countries. However, the impact of the disease is felt more severely in developing countries. In lower-medium-income countries, healthcare providers and patients are faced with unique challenges, including lower general education levels and health literacy, and limited access and utilization of antenatal care services.
Mr Speaker, according to research, 15 per cent of all maternal deaths worldwide is caused by hypertension disorders in pregnancy and it is unfortunate to state that almost all, about 99 per cent, of such deaths occur in developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa.
Doctors at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital were able to establish that one out of every five pregnant women had gestational hypertension which developed into preeclampsia and the latter had a fatality rate of about 7.5 per cent. Another research at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital also showed that these hypertensive disorders were the main causes of maternal deaths at the hospital for the past two decades. This is no good news, Mr. Speaker, for our black mothers, wives and female children who wants to procreate.
Mr Speaker, while black women have a higher risk of developing preeclampsia than women of other races, the exact cause of this deadly abnormal development involves several factors which include insufficient blood flow to the uterus, damage to the blood vessels, problem with the immune system, among others.
Major signs and symptoms of preeclampsia may include excess protein in urine (proteinuria) or additional signs of kidney problems, severe headaches, changes in vision, including temporary loss of vision, blurred vision or light sensitivity, increase in blood pressure above 140/90, swelling of the hands and face and upper abdominal pain.
Mr Speaker, studies demonstrate that the average knowledge about Preeclampsia is low. It is imperative, however, that patients are abreast with the condition and may identify warning symptoms of new or worsening disease, improve healthcare-seeking behaviour, and make informed healthcare decisions. Centred on this year's campaign theme, Stay Alert! Screen Early! we are enjoined to add our voices in creating the necessary awareness about this horrific condition amongst pregnant women.
Mr Speaker, on the commemoration of the World Preeclampsia Day, I join the many across the world, including one of my constituents who, herself, is a survivor of this condition, Nana Afua Sarpong, and her Afua Sarpong Foundation to continue with their outreach and advocacy on this deadly condition to encourage our women to take antenatal care serious and do away with the myths around pregnancy and be inspired to speak up about any concerns relating to their pregnancy. Early risk assessment and effective prevention save lives.
Mr Speaker, thank you once more for this valuable opportunity. I am most grateful.
