The Bongo District Health Director, Estella Abazesi, has identified anemia among women and children as one of the most pressing health challenges facing the district.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Tuesday, September 30, Abazesi said anemia, particularly among pregnant women and children, continues to place a heavy burden on health facilities in the area.
“Anemia is something that in Bongo we’ve been grappling with, especially among children and pregnant women, and I think it is even across the whole region.” She stated.
“For the past two years, with the support of partners such as WaterAid, we have worked to improve nutrition and engaged pregnant women on how to prepare local foods to maximize nutritional value.”
She, however, expressed concern about the high demand for blood transfusions at the Bongo District Hospital. “Sometimes when patients report to the facility with anemia, you may have to transfuse up to four units of blood, and that is not easy to come by.” She noted.
Abazesi further highlighted the wider challenges facing healthcare delivery in the district, including inadequate infrastructure, limited logistics, human resource gaps, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) issues. Despite these setbacks, she said the health directorate continues to work with stakeholders to improve services for residents.
She also pointed to progress made in reducing teenage pregnancies in the district, attributing the success to partnerships with traditional authorities and community leaders, including queen mothers.
“We have been able to bring our teenage pregnancies down. Whereas the national rate is around 12 percent of all pregnancy cases, Bongo has reduced it to between 10 and 11 percent over the past three to four years,” she said.
The District Health Director reaffirmed the directorate’s commitment to sustaining these gains while tackling persistent health challenges such as anemia.
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | David Adapuna
