Ouagadougou: The Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of Burkina Faso (SOGOB) has established a citizen monitoring mechanism aimed at reducing postpartum hemorrhage, which remains the leading cause of maternal mortality in Burkina Faso. This initiative was concluded after a two-day workshop held in Ouagadougou.
According to Burkina Information Agency, this newly formed citizen monitoring unit includes representatives from associations actively engaged in combating postpartum hemorrhage, as well as media professionals. The unit's mission is to enhance community involvement in efforts to decrease maternal deaths related to this condition. Participants in the workshop were informed about the serious implications of postpartum hemorrhage and its current preventative measures. They also discussed the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders involved in community health monitoring.
Professor Charlemagne Ou©draogo, president of the Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of Burkina Faso, emphasized that the initiative aims to strengthen advocacy efforts with governmental bodies and civil society. The goal is to foster unified and strategic actions to expedite the reduction of maternal mortality, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. Professor Ou©draogo highlighted that postpartum hemorrhage has been the primary cause of maternal deaths during childbirth in Burkina Faso for over three decades.
He further noted the importance of innovation in tackling this issue, while also building on previous successes. Among the proposed innovations is the introduction of new medical products, such as thermostable carbetocin, to aid in the prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage.
The workshop concluded with several key outcomes, including an improved comprehension of postpartum hemorrhage among participants, the establishment of mechanisms for information collection, reporting, and dissemination, and the creation of a roadmap for implementing and operating the citizen monitoring system.