The Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC), with funding from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has organised a four-day intensive training at Koforidua for Community Health Nurses on implant insertion and removal. Implant insertion and removal, also known as long-acting reversible contraceptive, is among the interventions of the UNFPA’s Eighth Country Programme that spans a period of five years; 2023 – 2027. The programme focuses on zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning; and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices including child marriages and female genital mutilation.
The nurses were selected from the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compounds and health facilities in 11 districts and municipalities of the Eastern Region. The districts were selected based on their vulnerability in maternal health, family planning, gender-based violence and harmful practices as well as health facilities accessibility. Addressing the participants, Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong, the Eastern Regional Minister, said the UNFPA was ensuring that “every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled, which I agree and share.
” However, he added; “If indeed every pregnancy is wanted and every childbirth is safe, then the 70 maternal deaths and 335 stillbirths recorded in the region last year was highly unacceptable.” “It is against this background, that I want to use.