Stronger measures needed to reduce maternal deaths in Ashanti Region — Deputy Health Minister

The Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has called for stronger measures to improve maternal healthcare delivery and reduce preventable maternal deaths in the Ashanti Region.

She made the call on Thursday when she visited the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and the Kumasi South Hospital at Asokwa as part of her engagement with health facilities in the region.

Dr Ayensu-Danquah held discussions with hospital management and frontline health professionals at both facilities, to obtain first-hand information on maternal healthcare delivery.

The discussions covered emergency obstetric care, referral systems, infrastructure, staffing and other factors affecting maternal and newborn health outcomes.

The deputy minister assured the hospital authorities and health professionals that the Government would work to address the challenges affecting maternal healthcare delivery.

“We have listened to the concerns of the health professionals and management. Our focus is to ensure that mothers and newborns receive timely and quality care, while addressing the gaps that contribute to preventable maternal deaths,” she said.

She also toured the labour wards, outpatient departments and other key units at the two facilities to observe service delivery.

She interacted with patients on the wards and listened to their experiences and concerns about the care they were receiving.

The health professionals appealed to the Government to expedite the completion of the Sewua and Afari Hospitals, saying the facilities would help reduce pressure on KATH and improve access to healthcare services in the region.

They said the completion of the two hospitals would strengthen the referral system and allow patients to access appropriate care closer to their communities.

The engagements provided the Deputy Minister with first-hand insight into the pressures facing the region’s major maternal and referral facilities.

The visit formed part of the Ministry of Health’s broader efforts to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare and improve outcomes for women across the country.