‘GRMA highlights climate change health impact on women and children’ 11 May 2024

Mrs Netta Forson Ackon, the National President of the Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRMA), has highlighted the detrimental impact of climate change on the health of women and children. She expressed concerns about the challenges posed by climate change, emphasising how it was affecting maternal health, newborns, adolescents, children, and healthcare providers alike. She said the urgent need for action and public awareness, to address these pressing concerns and protect the well- being of vulnerable populations. Mrs Ackon was speaking at the launch of the 2024 International Day of the Midwife (IDM) on the theme: "Midwives, A Vital Climate Solution". She cited climate change's impact on extreme weather changes, the spread of infectious diseases, and the health of mothers and their babies.

… She underlined the importance of trees in refining the air and providing coolness during hot periods, but which were being cut down or uprooted for profit. In a speech read on his behalf, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kumah Aboagye, explained the need for an established relationship between climate change maternal and child healthcare delivery and midwifery practice. He explained that the vulnerability of expectant mothers and newborns to climate change impacts led to adverse pregnancy and foetal health outcomes. He said midwives needed to play a role in mitigating climate change's health impacts by promoting breastfeeding and addressing the sexual reproductive health needs of women and girls to build climate change resilience. In an address, the Deputy Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Dr. James Duah, applauded the reduction of the institutional mortality ratio in Ghana and the significant contributions of midwives to maternal mortality reduction.

… These positive outcomes were attributed to the commendable contributions of midwives in the country. The Director of Allied Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr Ignatius Awinibuni, as the guest speaker, emphasised the Ministry's commitment to strengthening the nursing and midwifery workforce through initiatives like the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives and nationwide mentorship programmes. He also emphasised the significance of midwives in addressing climate change impacts and promoting public health. He further stressed the WHO's recognition of climate change as a major public health concern and the need for midwives to play a critical role in climate solutions. The launch recognised outstanding midwives from various regions across the country, highlighting the significance of International Day of the Midwife in celebrating and honouring midwives for their essential contributions to healthcare delivery and ensuring quality care for women and newborns throughout pregnancy and beyond.