Drivers in the Central Region who, in 2005, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ghana Health Service to assist in transporting pregnant women in labour to hospital have various stories to share. While some of them are attacked by armed robbers when performing this humanitarian job to reduce maternal deaths in the region, others are compelled under emergency situations to donate blood to save the lives of the expectant women they send to hospital. Mr John Owuo, a taxi driver of Diaso in the Upper Denkyira East District in the Central Region, said he was nearly killed by armed robbers while transporting two women in labour from Diaso to Dunkwa-Offin around 11:30 p.m. Narrating his story at an awards ceremony for some drivers in the region, Mr Owuo said about half way through the journey, his vehicle, which was carrying the women and two nurses, was stopped by armed robbers who shot at him for not having enough money on him. He collapsed and they were later rescued and sent to the hospital. Another award winner, Mr Kweku Ewusi, who lives at Ajumako Bisease, said he had a call from a nurse to pick a pregnant woman in labour who had been referred to the Ajumako Hospital. He said when he got to the hospital, the pregnant woman was again referred to the Breman Asikuma Catholic Hospital, where she was admitted. According to Mr Ewusi, the woman needed blood transfusion, and since the two relatives accompanying her could not donate blood, he did that to save the woman's life. Other drivers narrated other harrowing experiences at the ceremony, during which a number of drivers and 38 transport union branches were honoured. The driver's received suitcases, while the unions were given standing fans. The programme was initiated by the Ghana Health Service, in collaboration with the transport unions, with support from the European Commission, the United Nations Population Fund and the Government of Ghana, as part of efforts to reduce maternal mortality. The drivers leave their telephone numbers with nurses at the health facilities and the nurses call them in cases of emergency or referral to transport pregnant women in labour. The drivers complained about bad roads, which, they said, constituted a hindrance to the programme. "We are happy to do this but we appeal to the government to ensure that the roads are in good shape to make things a bit easier for us," Mr Ewusi said. The Central Regional Vice-Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Mr Samuel Arthur, said it was gratifying to note that the drivers had been given the opportunity to save lives to improve healthcare delivery in which was their contribution the region. The Central Regional Minister, Ms Ama Benyiwa Doe, said she was happy that the collaboration had helped in saving the lives of many pregnant women. She said in 2006, the region recorded 87 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, increasing to 102 per 100,000 live births in 2007. In 2008, however, it reduced to 92 deaths per 100,000 live births, reducing further to 66 deaths per 100,000 live births last year. She said although the statistics on maternal mortality in the region had improved, efforts must be intensified to further reduce them. She called on women and particularly men to adopt effective family planning methods to ensure better maternal health and gave the assurance that the assemblies would support the awards scheme to make it attractive. The Queen of Mankessim, Nana Ama Amissah, advised men to De more involved in family planning issues and support women to lead healthier lives during pregnancy. The Co-ordinator of the programme, Mr Mathew Ahwireng, thanked the drivers for the support and expressed optimism that the collaboration would continue. Source: Daily Graphic