Savannah Region – September 25, 2025
In a decisive move to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes, 20 frontline health workers in the Bamboi Sub-District of the Bole District have successfully completed a three-day intensive training workshop on Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR).
The workshop, held from September 17th to 19th at Layaata Hospital in Carpenter, was organised by Project HOPE, a USAID-funded NGO, in collaboration with the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG). It is part of a broader initiative aimed at reducing preventable deaths during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.
The training brought together midwives, nurses, and health information officers who were guided through the eight essential modules of the MPDSR framework. These modules are designed to empower health professionals with the skills to systematically review maternal and perinatal deaths, identify root causes, and implement evidence-based interventions to prevent future occurrences.
“MPDSR is not about assigning blame. It is a cycle of continuous improvement,” said one facilitator. “Each reviewed case presents an opportunity to save a future mother or baby.”
A notable highlight of the training was the participation of a three-member delegation from the Bole District Health Directorate, including the District Public Health Nurse, District Nutrition Officer, and Hospital Health Information Officer. Their presence signaled strong institutional backing for the adoption and scaling of MPDSR practices in the district.
Participants were trained on:
• Notification and classification of maternal and perinatal deaths
• Conducting respectful and effective death audits
• Community-level surveillance and identification of maternal near-miss cases
• Data-driven decision-making and documentation
• Formulating actionable responses to health system gaps
Project HOPE, a key USAID implementing partner, is leading efforts across Ghana to equip sub-district health workers with the knowledge and tools to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services. This workshop in Bamboi is part of a wider strategy to build sustainable health systems at the grassroots level.
As maternal and infant mortality remain persistent public health concerns in many rural parts of Ghana, the introduction of MPDSR in Bamboi signals a hopeful shift toward accountability, learning, and life-saving interventions.
The training closed with a renewed commitment from participants to champion MPDSR processes in their respective facilities and communities—ensuring that every pregnancy counts and every loss teaches a lesson.
source: Padfm.com.gh/Joachim Ewuntomah
