Expectant Mothers Urged to Visit Clinics for Prenatal Care
By: , November 25, 2016The Key Point:
Photo: Dave Reid
Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton (right), cuts the ribbon to officially open the Drug Serve Pharmacy at the Kitson Town Health Centre in St. Catherine on Wednesday (November 23). Others pictured (from left) are Parish Manager, St. Catherine Health Services, Beverly Needham; Chief Executive Officer, National Health Fund (NHF), Everton Anderson, and Public Health Nurse at the facility, Christeen Smart-Guy.The Facts
- “The doctors won’t know whether the baby is premature, or if the baby is turned the wrong way, or the mother has a particular health condition,” he pointed out.
The Full Story
Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is appealing for pregnant women to visit health centres for the necessary prenatal checks in order to ensure a safe delivery.
He noted that there are expectant mothers who are going through nine months of pregnancy, and only turn up at the hospital when they are ready to give birth.
He said in such instances, the doctor is left to perform a delivery without knowing the health risks, as there is no profile of the mother.
“The doctors won’t know whether the baby is premature, or if the baby is turned the wrong way, or the mother has a particular health condition,” he pointed out.
“We need to start taking responsibility for our health in this country. It is very important,” Dr. Tufton said.
He was delivering the keynote address at the official opening of the Drug Serve Pharmacy at the Kitson Town Health Centre in St. Catherine on Wednesday (November 23).
Dr. Tufton noted that the family doctor, obstetrician or certified midwife at the clinic, provides expectant mothers with competent care from pregnancy to birth that takes into account their particular health needs.