Western Region records decline in Institutional Maternal Mortality ratio

• Posted on March 21, 2024March 21, 2024
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The Western Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service Dr Yaw Ofori Yeboah says the Institutional Maternal mortality Ratio declined from 119/100,000 in 2021 to 84/100,000 LBs in 2023, almost 30%.

The region also recorded an institutional neonatal mortality rate of 4 deaths per 1000 LBs as this is the lowest recorded death rate for the neonates in the region for 7 years.

Speaking at the 2023 Annual Performance Review in Takoradi under the theme of building a resilient healthcare system through effective implementation of a network of practice Dr Yeboah noted that all the core Audit indicators improved significantly which has been reflected in reduced audit infractions in the region.

He said, ”That is an achievement. Similarly, all the core Audit indicators improved significantly, reflected in reduced audit infractions in the region.”

The region also excelled in TB management. The TB death rate was almost halved between 2022 and 2023; the case notification rate recorded last year is the highest in ten years.

”Our exceptional achievements in TB management in 2023 have been recognized at the national level. Through the hard work of our team, the region was adjudged the overall best in the country for the management of TB activities. We also won awards for best region in TB case notification and best region in TB preventive therapy and contact tracing. Additionally, the region was given a citation for effective mobilization of resources for TB activities. We are grateful to all the staff and officers involved in the attainment of this great feat.”

He also stated some of the challenges, confronting the health system in the Western Region which includes inadequate clinical and non-clinical staff such as auditors and accountants, staff accommodation, land encroachment, constant threat of disconnection from the national electricity grid, Additionally, the large number of temporal staff on the payrolls of facilities are financially crippling them.

The Director at the Western Regional Coordinating Council, Dr Frerick Agyemang who read a speech on behalf of the Western Regional Minister indicated that the Government has since its assumption of office in January 2017 been at the forefront of providing improved public service delivery using digital solutions.

He said the role of digital health solutions in the healthcare sector cannot be overemphasized.

The Minister indicated that the digitization drive is also in response to the World Health Organization’s call for member countries to implement digital health interventions in their health systems to improve access to care and well-being for their population.

-Skyy