OTI REGION ESTABLISHES MPDSR TASKFORCE TO STRENGTHEN RESPONSE TO MATERNAL AND PERINATAL DEATHS
The Oti Regional Coordinating Council, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service and with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has initiated the establishment of a Regional Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) Taskforce to strengthen the monitoring and implementation of recommendations arising from maternal and perinatal death audits in the region.
The initiative seeks to ensure that lessons drawn from maternal and perinatal deaths translate into practical interventions that address gaps in healthcare delivery and prevent avoidable deaths among mothers and newborns.
The Taskforce brings together representatives from key sectors and institutions, including the Ghana Health Service, the Department of Social Welfare, the National Ambulance Service and the Municipal and District Chief Executives (M/DCEs) of the implementing districts. The multi-sectoral composition is intended to promote effective coordination, shared responsibility and collective action in addressing the factors contributing to maternal and perinatal deaths.
Addressing members at the engagement, the Oti Regional Minister, Hon. John Kwadwo Gyapong, underscored the importance of moving beyond the documentation of maternal deaths to ensuring that recommendations from audit reports are effectively implemented.
He emphasised that the success of the Taskforce would not be measured by the number of meetings held but by its ability to translate identified gaps into concrete actions and measurable improvements in maternal and newborn healthcare.
The Minister called on members to demonstrate commitment, professionalism and accountability in discharging their responsibilities. He further stressed the need for strong collaboration among the various institutions to address challenges relating to emergency obstetric care, referral systems, transportation, essential medical supplies and access to quality healthcare.
As part of the capacity-building session, Madam Veronica Kaka, Regional Public Health Nurse, took members through the mandate and responsibilities of the MPDSR Taskforce. She also provided relevant guidance and lessons to equip members with the knowledge and understanding required to effectively undertake their assigned responsibilities.
Her presentation highlighted the importance of understanding the circumstances surrounding maternal and perinatal deaths, identifying gaps in service delivery and ensuring that recommendations from audits receive the necessary attention and follow-up.
Members also actively contributed to discussions on the operationalisation of the Taskforce, sharing ideas and practical approaches on how the committee should coordinate its activities, monitor the implementation of recommendations and ensure that responsible institutions take the necessary action.
The discussions further highlighted the importance of institutional collaboration, clear assignment of responsibilities, regular monitoring and effective reporting to ensure that the objectives of the initiative are achieved.
The establishment of the MPDSR Taskforce represents an important step towards strengthening the region’s maternal and newborn healthcare response. It also reinforces the commitment of the Oti Regional Coordinating Council and its partners to building a responsive health system that learns from every maternal and perinatal death and takes deliberate steps to prevent future occurrences.
Through this collaborative effort, the Oti Region seeks to promote safer pregnancies, safer deliveries and improved survival outcomes for mothers and newborns.
