By SA'AH SIONA IKEI
Maternal and child health challenges in Cameroon took the spotlight as the Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of Cameroon (SOGOC) convened its 32nd annual congress in Yaoundé. With a theme centered around "Obstetrics and Gynecology in Sub-Saharan Africa: Bridging the Gap between Tradition and Modernity," the congress brought together gynecologists, obstetricians, and members of the public to address the pressing issues in the field.
Commenting on the theme, Prof Emile Mboudou, the president of the Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of Cameroon, described "tradition" as a habitual way of doing things. He emphasized the need to evaluate whether these traditional practices are still relevant in the face of changing times. "We want to come out of our old ways of doing things which sometimes gave results and other times gave less results," he added.
Prof Emile Mboudou, President of SOGOC
Representing the Ministry, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Health emphasized the government's commitment to addressing structural issues that hinder the provision of quality obstetric care across the country. The congress saw the participation of delegates from Benin, Congo, Gabon, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Senegal, Central Africa, Ivory Coast, and Chad.
During a pre-conference press briefing, SOGOC officials shared concerning statistics on maternal and infant mortality in Cameroon. While the infant mortality rate has slightly declined by 2.23% compared to 2023, the figures remain alarmingly high due to various factors. The president highlighted late diagnosis of pregnancy complications, difficulties in accessing treatment facilities, and limited hospital services as key contributing factors.
SOGOC also addressed the increasing trend of C-section deliveries in Cameroon. While acknowledging its role in preventing complications in high-risk cases, officials stressed the importance of adhering to the World Health Organization's recommendation that the C-section rate should not exceed 15%. Cameroon's current rate of 10% was presented as relatively acceptable. They urged for improved access to quality antenatal and delivery services to further reduce risks for both mothers and babies.
In addition, Prof Emile Mboudou emphasized that maternal mortality is often influenced by factors beyond health-related issues. He highlighted the three delays in addressing maternal mortality: "The first delay is at the diagnostic level. There may be a complication that the victim is not aware of, or they may lack the means for proper diagnostics. The second delay occurs when the diagnosis has been made, but the patient faces challenges in reaching a treatment center due to distance and accessibility issues. The last delay occurs when the patient arrives at the hospital, but there are delays in receiving treatment due to unpaid bills or inadequate resources."
Dr. Eko Eko Filbert, the 2nd Vice President, stated that the society tends to lean more towards traditional practices rather than embracing modern approaches in the management of obstetrics and gynecology. He emphasized the need to adopt modernity to limit maternal mortality.
Prof Perrin Rene Xavier, a specialist in maternal and child health, mentioned that they have proposed strategies to the government to reduce mortality. However, he noted that there hasn't been significant progress in implementing these strategies. The congress provided an opportunity to evaluate countries or regions with successful outcomes, aiming to learn from their experiences and replicate them to achieve the desired objectives.
By Sa'ah Siona Ikei,
Creative Storyteller.
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