Ghana's Free Delivery Care Policy

Abstract

Developing countries continue to bear the larger portion of pregnancy-related deaths. It is recognised that access to skilled delivery care of good quality will contribute to reducing maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. The importance of this situation is reflected in the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 aimed at reducing maternal mortality ratios by 75% by the year 2015. In Ghana, maternal mortality ratio is estimated to range from 214 to 700 per 100,000 live births. These figures have persisted for some time despite various policies and initiatives including an Antenatal Care policy and the Safe Motherhood initiative.