Ouagadougou: The Bogodogo University Hospital Center (CHU-B) has embarked on a significant audit of maternal and perinatal deaths to address and reduce the mortality rate of women during childbirth within its facilities. This initiative aims to enhance the care provided to pregnant women, new mothers, and their newborns, as stated by Seydou Nombré, the Director General of CHU-B, during a session dedicated to discussing the audit’s findings.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Mr. Nombré emphasized that the discussions from the audit would lead to new recommendations for improving the care of women during childbirth. He expressed gratitude towards the audit committee members who diligently investigated the causes and contributing factors of maternal and perinatal deaths at the hospital. He affirmed the hospital’s commitment to implementing the recommended measures to enhance the quality of care for pregnant women.
Gynecologist Pr Charlemagne Ouédraogo, associated with CHU-B, highlighted the importance o
f the audit, noting that it is a mandatory practice for the country’s reference services. He expressed satisfaction that this process has been institutionalized across all university hospitals and reference centers in Burkina Faso, with CHU-B leading the way in implementing this Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene decree.
In the discussions, the focus will be on analyzing two specific cases of maternal deaths, with statutory members providing evaluations of these cases. Pr Ouédraogo shared that CHU-B handles approximately 13,000 deliveries annually, including about 6,000 cesarean sections, facilitated by the free care policy implemented in Burkina Faso since 2016.
However, the former Minister of Health under Roch Marc Christian Kaboré’s regime, Pr Ouédraogo, expressed concern over the hospital’s high occupancy rate of 130%, leading to situations where patients sometimes lack beds and are forced to stay on the floor in corridors. This overcrowding is attributed to the hospital’s reputation for quality car
e and the free care policy.
He is optimistic that Burkina Faso can achieve its 2030 target of reducing the maternal mortality rate to below 70 per 100,000 live births.