51% of Pregnant Women suffer From Anaemia due to malnutrition

Fifty-one percent of pregnant women in Ghana have been identified as suffering from anaemia due to malnutrition.

The Demographic and Health Survey report of 2022 estimates that the Northern and Upper East Regions of the country reported anaemia prevalence of 45.3% and 50.8%, respectively.

Health experts say the situation is alarming so far as better healthcare delivery is concerned in the country.

Most anaemia among pregnant women is a result of a lack of counselling, inadequate nutritional intake and poor hygiene practices.

Measures to bridge the gap: Ghana Health Service has rolled out a pilot project called Universal Nutrition and Health Coverage in some of the districts and municipalities in the Ashanti region and beyond to establish a sustainable system for nutrition improvement.

As part of the pilot program at Ejisu and Kwabre East Municipalities, the GHS has taken a technological approach by procuring medical tablets for various nutritionists to provide effective and data-driven collection counselling to pregnant women and nursing mothers on how to improve their diet, hygiene, and exclusive breastfeeding.

The deputy director of Ghana Health Service in charge of nutrition, Ms. Olivia Timpo, reiterated how the service is eager to reduce anaemia in pregnant women across the nation.

Speaking to the media during a dissemination meeting held in Kumasi on the project of universal nutrition and health coverage.

Ms. Olivia Timpo added that the service has made significant progress regarding exclusive feeding.

Five out of ten nursing mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding, which has improved the health of newborn babies.

She said more efforts are needed to eradicate babies with Kwashiorkor from the country.

By Enock Baffoe/uniquenewsgh.com