Affectionately called “Auntie Midwife”, Dr. James Clayman is a Medical Superintendent and Obstetrician Gynaecologist whose passion for his job has endeared him to many Ghanaians. While working at the La General Hospital in 2006, Dr. Clayman decided to volunteer his services part time to the Amasaman Health Centre (which is now the Ga West Municipal Hospital): an institution which was severely afflicted by limited staff and many logistical constraints; and where maternal and newborn deaths were all to frequent. Tackling issues, step by stepAlthough many would have given up at the sheer sight of the amount of problems the facility was facing, Dr. James Clayman strongly believed that practical solutions could be found to many of the problems.Step by step, he tackled the issues that were preventing women and newborns from receiving quality health care. He introduced effective strategies, such as a new post-pregnancy treatment system that reduced severe bleeding cases to less than 1 per cent of deliveries. Emergency referrals dropped by over 80% meaning that women with pregnancy complications could deliver within the facility and not have to travel for hours to reach the next clinic. Changes were so effective that in his first year of volunteer work, the facility recorded zero maternal deaths. In recognition of his dedication to women and the clinic, he was then contracted as an Obstetrician gynaecologist at Amasaman Health Centre.Where there is commitment and collaboration, Change is possibleA strong believer in teamwork and cooperation as a basic principle for providing any kind of service in health facilities, Dr Clayman is known to have never witnessed the death of a baby or child since he started practicing. Under his leadership the health facility was even upgraded to the status of a hospital – the well known - Ga West Municipal Hospital.In 2012, the Vaah Junior Foundation awarded him with the title of Ghana’s ‘Best Doctor of 2011’, in recognition of his astounding dedication and sacrifice to ensure the survival of mothers and babies.He currently serves on the board of the Ark Foundation (an NGO working to protect the rights of women and children in Ghana) and is best known as “Auntie Midwife” on TV3’s local programme on obstetrics and gynaecological issues. Read about other MamaYe Champions here
Affectionately called “Auntie Midwife”, Dr. James Clayman is a Medical Superintendent and Obstetrician Gynaecologist whose passion for his job has endeared him to many Ghanaians. While working at the La General Hospital in 2006, Dr. Clayman decided to volunteer his services part time to the Amasaman Health Centre (which is now the Ga West Municipal Hospital): an institution which was severely afflicted by limited staff and many logistical constraints; and where maternal and newborn deaths were all to frequent. Tackling issues, step by stepAlthough many would have given up at the sheer sight of the amount of problems the facility was facing, Dr. James Clayman strongly believed that practical solutions could be found to many of the problems.Step by step, he tackled the issues that were preventing women and newborns from receiving quality health care. He introduced effective strategies, such as a new post-pregnancy treatment system that reduced severe bleeding cases to less than 1 per cent of deliveries. Emergency referrals dropped by over 80% meaning that women with pregnancy complications could deliver within the facility and not have to travel for hours to reach the next clinic. Changes were so effective that in his first year of volunteer work, the facility recorded zero maternal deaths. In recognition of his dedication to women and the clinic, he was then contracted as an Obstetrician gynaecologist at Amasaman Health Centre.Where there is commitment and collaboration, Change is possibleA strong believer in teamwork and cooperation as a basic principle for providing any kind of service in health facilities, Dr Clayman is known to have never witnessed the death of a baby or child since he started practicing. Under his leadership the health facility was even upgraded to the status of a hospital – the well known - Ga West Municipal Hospital.In 2012, the Vaah Junior Foundation awarded him with the title of Ghana’s ‘Best Doctor of 2011’, in recognition of his astounding dedication and sacrifice to ensure the survival of mothers and babies.He currently serves on the board of the Ark Foundation (an NGO working to protect the rights of women and children in Ghana) and is best known as “Auntie Midwife” on TV3’s local programme on obstetrics and gynaecological issues. Read about other MamaYe Champions here