The Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Health Directorate in the Greater Accra Region has inaugurated its risk communication team to help sensitise residents on relevant health issues.
The risk communication team has representation from all stakeholders, including faith-based organisations, health officials, assembly members, unit committee members, and others.
Dr. Esther Priscilla Biamah Danqua, the Kpone-Katamanso Director of Health Services, orienting the team, said some of the health challenges in the municipality were anaemia in pregnancy and a high rate of teenage pregnancy.
Dr. Danquah further said that poor road networks remained one major setback affecting health service delivery within the municipality.
She noted that the municipality had about nine public health facilities made up of two polyclinics, two community health planning and services (CHPs) compounds, and five health centres and clinics within the various communities.
She stated that health delivery must not be left only in the hands of health professionals, as it was a shared responsibility and the support of residents and stakeholders was needed for efficient service delivery.
The Kpone-Katamanso Health Director indicated that risk management and communication were very essential in health delivery, stressing that people should report health issues to the nearest health facility for immediate attention.
She urged the team to educate the public, especially pregnant women, on the importance of eating iron-rich food, expressing worry over the increase in anaemia in pregnancy in the municipality.
She advised expectant mothers to start antenatal clinic attendants early for issues such as anaemia to be diagnosed early and treated to prevent complications and maternal mortality.