By Chinoyi Chipulu in Kabwe
The Zambia Association of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (ZAGO) has called for the accelerated use of the new drugs that prevent severe bleeding in women after child birth.
Speaking in an interview on the sidelines at the national advocacy and awareness workshop on the Accelerating Measurable Progress and Leveraging Investments for Postpartum Hemorrhage Impact (AMPL-PPHI) project in Kabwe on Friday, ZAGO president Dr Swebby Macha said there was need to accelerate the use of the new drugs that prevent severe bleeding which is refered to as Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH).
He urged the media to disseminate information on the drugs that prevent severe bleeding so that people could learn on the new developments.
“Jhpiego, ZAGO, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), and the Ministry of Health are working together on a project to ensure that the right medications for postpartum hemorrhage are available to reduce maternal deaths . We decided to engage the media houses so that they disseminate this information correctly to the public,” he said.
Dr Macha said the intervention being implemented was critical as it would lead to 60 percent reduction of PPH related deaths.
“The AMPL-PPHI project is a game charger. As we know PPH is the leading cause of deaths in Zambia hence the introduction and scaling up of newer drugs and treatment would lead to improved maternal and newborn survival as 60 percent of deaths can be prevented,” he said.
Dr Macha said there was need to speed up the use newer drugs such as the heat stable carbetocin and the Tranexamic acid among others.
“If we are talking about 60 percent reduction in PPH reduction deaths, we are going to significantly bring down the maternal mortality in this country. Preach the message on PPH to the public. The more people are learning from you, the better,” said Dr Macha.
