Kadiogo: The Burkina Faso Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (SOGOB) organized an advocacy workshop on Wednesday in Ouagadougou for members of the People's Legislative Assembly (ALP) to strengthen their commitment to the fight against postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), the leading cause of maternal mortality in the country. This meeting aimed to improve parliamentarians' understanding of the issue of postpartum hemorrhage and to foster greater political commitment to maternal health. Discussions also focused on prevention and treatment strategies, as well as the role of elected officials in developing and monitoring public health policies.
According to Burkina Information Agency, SOGOB President stated, "Our country has made significant progress in improving maternal and child health. We have committed to reducing the maternal mortality rate to below 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030." He noted that postpartum hemorrhage accounts for nearly 30% of maternal deaths in Burkina Faso and advocated for the adoption of innovative solutions, including heat-stable carbetocin, a heat-resistant drug that effectively prevents postpartum hemorrhage, particularly in areas where maintaining the cold chain is difficult.
During the workshop, participants also reviewed updated national data on postpartum hemorrhage, its health, social, and economic consequences, and mechanisms to improve funding for maternal health interventions. The coordinator of the Burkina Faso Parliamentary Network on Health, Population and Development, MP Esther Bamouni, reaffirmed the parliamentarians' commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at protecting maternal lives. "No woman should lose her life giving life. As parliamentarians, the actions of SOGOB resonate with us. Following this workshop, we will examine the ways and means by which MPs can support this noble initiative," she stated.
According to the organizers, postpartum hemorrhage remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in Burkina Faso, accounting for approximately 30% of maternal deaths. They believe that strong political commitment, combined with improved access to innovative treatments, will help accelerate progress toward the maternal mortality reduction targets set for 2030.