Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mimi Mefo Info (Editor)
Published on 2024-04-18 09:50:13
Gynaecologists and Obstetricians in Cameroon recently gathered for their 32nd Congress, with a primary focus on addressing the country’s alarmingly high maternal mortality rate. According to recent statistics from the Ministry of Public Health, out of 20,000 births in Cameroon, there are 416 reported cases of maternal deaths, a figure that has raised significant concerns among healthcare professionals.
The Congress, held under the theme “Obstetrics and Gynaecology in sub-Saharan Africa between tradition and modernity,” aimed to devise strategies that integrate traditional practices with modern approaches to combat maternal mortality effectively. Prof Robert Leke, the President Emeritus of the Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Cameroon (SOGOC), emphasized the importance of finding a balance between tradition and modernity in these efforts.
During the three-day Congress, which attracted nearly 600 participants from 15 African countries, France, and South Africa, Professor Louis Richard Njock, the Secretary-General at the Ministry of Public Health, called on healthcare professionals to translate discussions into tangible actions. He stressed the need for collective strategies to support government decision-making processes in addressing maternal mortality.
Professor Leke also underscored the importance of implementing multiple strategies, including training, practice, and protocols, to effectively reduce maternal mortality rates. Gynaecologists at the Congress highlighted the three delays that contribute to maternal mortality: delay in seeking care, delay in reaching care, and delay in receiving care, emphasizing the need for a collaborative effort to address these challenges.
Established in 1989, the Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Cameroon (SOGOC) aims to promote high standards of practice in obstetrics and gynaecology in the country. The organization focuses on organizing training sessions for reproductive health providers, integrating adolescent reproductive health and menopausal medicine into existing healthcare systems, promoting collaboration among healthcare professionals, and fostering interdisciplinary cooperation to enhance the practice of gynaecology and obstetrics.
Overall, the Congress served as a platform for healthcare professionals to exchange ideas, strategies, and best practices in addressing maternal mortality in Cameroon. By integrating tradition and modernity and implementing collective strategies, the medical community is committed to reducing maternal mortality rates and improving the overall reproductive health outcomes in the country.
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
