Medipark ‘safe motherhood’ campaign screens 146

In efforts to tackle infant and maternal mortality, Ongwediva Medipark Private Hospital held a ‘safe motherhood’ campaign at Outapi last weekend, with 146 mothers showing up for free screening.Of this number, one woman learnt she is carrying twins, the hospital’s marketing and communication coordinator Katarina Elago said.Dr Siemefo Kamgang said the campaign was purposely designed to provide mothers with relevant information to guide them before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth to ensure the safety of mother and child.“These are clinical activities and programmes targeted at reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality in society,” he added.The campaign highlighted the six pillars of safe motherhood – family planning, antenatal care, obstetric and newborn care, postnatal care, post-abortion care and sexually-transmitted disease (STD) control.EssentialKamgang described antenatal care as crucial, as it is allows medical professionals to detect any complications early and treat them as soon as possible.“It is also essential to provide pregnant women with vitamin supplements, iron tablets and vaccinations so that they can have a healthy and strong pregnancy,” he said.After birth, it is important to provide postnatal care, which includes “counselling mothers about child handling and exclusive breast feeding. Moreover, postpartum care also comprises of providing awareness regarding family planning,” he said.Kamgang added that the causes for the majority of maternal deaths is severe bleeding and infection.“This includes infection of the uterus, tubes, urinary system and fetal infection. This is also caused due to unhygienic delivery sites and practice,” he said.Meanwhile, high blood pressure, pre-existing conditions and non-pregnancy related sepsis are also causes of maternal death, he added.

Medipark ‘safe motherhood’ campaign screens 146

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-03-12

Please login to leave a comment

Medipark ‘safe motherhood’ campaign screens 146

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-03-12

Please login to leave a comment

Login