There seem to be a solution to the age-long challenge of inadequate number of midwives delivering service particularly in the Sekondi –Takoradi Diocesan Health Service, by the establishing of a Nursing and Midwifery College at the St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Eikwe.
The Western Regional Director of Health Service, Dr. Emmanuel Kojo Tinkorang, hinted in a meeting with the Bishop Responsible for Health , Most. Rev. Joseph Afrifa- Agyekum, when he called on him as part of his working visit to the region. Dr. Ahinkorang pledged his commitment to ensuring that the ground is broken for work to start in getting a college for that part of the country as a measure to addressing the low numbers of midwives in the region. This , he said will reduce the workload on the few number of nurses and midwives in the region.
The Regional Director was confident the St. Martin De Pores Hospital will be a suitable mentor for the practical knowledge and experience of the new college. He said the hospital is the flagship health facility in the region, serving even foreign nationals working in the gas enclave at Atuabo and beyond.
Ante Natal Care registrants are very high at the facility. In its annual report, new registrants recorded 1, 354 with 11,143 attendances (an average visit per client of 8.2). 96% of all deliveries in the facility were live births. The facility recorded an Average Caesarian Section Rate of 23%.
According to the Ghana Health Service, midwives and nurses attend to about 6000 and 1400 patients respectively in a year. In the 2015 Staffing distribution, the National Catholic Health Services (NCHS) had 605 midwives of which the St. Martin De Porres had 13 with some on study leave.
The St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Eikwe, is cited in the Ellembelle District which is boarded to the West by Nzema East, to the north by Wassa West, and East by the Jomoro District. The Ellembelle District has a population of 92,857(projected population of 2010).
Services provided by the hospital range from clinical, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, surgery and health support. Obstetrics and Gynaecological is the mainstay of the hospital.
The hospital has a resident Obstetrician/Gynaecologist.