A Deputy Director of Nursing Services in the Obstetric and Gynecology Department at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital (ENRH), Angela Sagoe is seeking the intervention of government to include some routine drugs of Pregnant women into the National Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Her plea comes as a result of the inability of pregnant women to afford some drugs prescribed to them to ensure safe delivery.
She observed that Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) is rising amongst pregnant women, who come to the hospital for antenatal. This condition, she said is caused by the lack of calcium in the the diet of pregnant women and as such experience eclampsia which affects the organs and systems of the expectant mothers.
Due to the exorbitant price of the drugs, most women are not able to afford the drugs and risk losing babies as well as
” We have observed that pregnant women lack calcium in their system hence when we prescribe the calcium induced drugs for them, they are unable to buy.
Such drugs are not covered by the NHIS and I think government should consider including it in the NHIS for pregnant women to freely benefit. The drug is sold at fifty – sixty cedis, ” She said.
Madam Angela also mentioned Folic acid, Vitamin C and Pepsolate as some of the drugs to be covered by the NHIS.
Pregnant women are advised to visit the hospital regularly and eat healthily to ensure smooth delivery when they are due.
Madam Sagoe spoke to Spice 91.9FM, to commemorate the International Midwives Day under the theme, 100 years of Progress.
