Dzemeni in the South Dayi District in the Volta Region has witnessed improved maternal healthcare over the last year.

The riverine community within the period recorded no maternal deaths as mothers tend to deliver healthier babies, in a safe and sound environment.

This follows a series of interventions at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Health Center in Dzemeni, spearheaded by the church with support from Rotary Club.

Dzemeni is a river-bound commercial community in the South Dayi District which harbors mostly traders, fisherfolks, artisans and private and public sector workers.

As the most developed and busiest community in the enclave, residents in the communities overbank travel here to access to all essential services, including basic healthcare.

This put pressure on the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Health Center which lacked enough space and was under-equipped.

Due to the imperative need for a radiant warmer, the health workers developed an outmoded model with mushroom bulbs and slot pulsa wood to serve in the interim

A midwife at the facility, Esadah Priscilla, explained that they previously had to share a small space at the outpatient department for antenatal and postnatal services.

She said this breached their confidentiality clause, as patients get to hear details of the health conditions of their peers during consultations.

“Previously, we had to attend to clients in pairs in an area divided with plywood. During sessions, they hear the discussions on the other side, and this wasn't good because we needed to keep their conditions and details confidential”, she said.

She added that the E.P. Church provides an ultrasound machine which provided some relief to pregnant women who access the facility for antenatal care, “since they don't have to travel out for such services.”

She lamented about the lack of separate wards and beds for mothers and their newborns, explaining they had to house them in a small-spaced ward with other patients.

Gauging the pressure on the health center, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church financed the construction of a maternity unit for the facility.

The structure which occupies a 20 by 70 feet land area has two separate counseling rooms, a labour room, two wards, a neonatal intensive care space, and a public health room among other ancillary facilities.

The Rotary Club stepped in to stock the maternity facility with modern equipment, ranging from radiant warmers, incubators, autoclave machines, labor beds, ward beds, and medical refrigerators among others.

Madam Esadah shared her excitement about the new facility indicating service delivery had drastically improved over the last year, with patients putting to bed healthy babies.

She disclosed that they no longer have to worry about exposed consultation sessions as they have two separate consulting rooms.

“We now have better delivery beds and rooms so mothers have a good rest after giving birth. The NICU is also helping us to provide critical care to babies that need it to survive”, she said with a smile.

Gudzuda Juliana is one of the beneficiaries of the project which has contributed significantly to maternal healthcare in the Dzemeni enclave.

She shared how she was taken care of diligently during her pregnancy journey to delivery, providing her with a holistic service.

“Due to the intensity of my labour and how I was feeling, I least expected them to help me give birth, thinking they will refer me to a bigger facility. However, they proved me wrong to me and did well to help me deliver my baby.”

“After delivery, the beds for resting are big enough and comfortable, unlike previously that provided small beds. The beds in the waiting room before delivery are equally good. They handled me very well after delivery”, she concluded.