Adidome (V/R), March 3, – The Ghana Health Service (GHS) in Central Tongu District has recorded zero maternal deaths in 2025, marking a significant public health milestone, Mr Baba Awuni, the District Director of Health Services, has announced.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual Performance Review Meeting held at Adidome on Tuesday, Mr Awuni said maternal mortality in the district declined from 57.7 per cent in 2023 to zero in 2025, describing the outcome as evidence of the commitment of health personnel and stakeholders despite prevailing challenges.
The meeting was held on the theme: “Strengthening the Primary Healthcare System for Improved Access to Quality Health Service Delivery: The Role of Stakeholders in Network of Practice (NoP).”
Mr Awuni reported improvements across several maternal and child health indicators. Anaemia prevalence at 36 weeks of pregnancy dropped from 41.2 per cent in 2023 to 28.6 per cent in 2025. Stillbirth rate also declined from 6.3 per 1,000 live births to 4.9 per 1,000 live births within the same period.
Antenatal Care (ANC) fourth visit coverage rose markedly from 59.4 per cent in 2023 to 114.3 per cent in 2025, while first-trimester ANC registration improved from 57.4 per cent to 64 per cent. Skilled delivery coverage recorded a marginal increase from 49.5 per cent to 51.6 per cent.
However, the Director noted setbacks in some indicators. Family planning acceptor rate declined from 28.3 per cent in 2023 to 27.3 per cent in 2025, while overall ANC coverage dropped from 82.1 per cent to 68.5 per cent. Childhood immunisation coverage, measured using Penta 3 as a proxy, decreased from 75.1 per cent to 70.4 per cent. Institutional neonatal mortality rose from 1.72 per cent to 2.7 per cent over the period.
Mr Awuni attributed the mixed performance to persistent human resource and logistical constraints. Staff strength declined from 224 in 2023 to 210 in 2025, with 18 officers currently on study leave. None of the health centres in the district meets the minimum staffing requirement of 51 personnel for a Category A Health Centre.
Mafi-Kumasi Health Centre has the highest staff complement of 38, while Kpoviadzi Health Centre operates with only seven personnel. Some Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds are managed by a single officer.
Infrastructure gaps also remain acute. Only the District Director has official accommodation, with other senior officers renting privately. Facilities at Dekpoe, Gidikpoe and Mawoekpor operate from private homes, while Old Bakpa and Agorve conduct services under trees.
He disclosed that ongoing construction works at Dekpoe, Aflavenu, Kanekope, Adalekpoe and Gidikpoe are being undertaken by the District Assembly with support from the area Member of Parliament. The Directorate has also received two motorbikes and two laptop computers from the MP, Mr Alexander Roosevelt Hotordze, to enhance outreach services and improve National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) claims processing and data capture.
Mr Awuni said his office had intensified routine and static outreach services, conducted food demonstrations to improve maternal and child nutrition, and strengthened stakeholder engagement under the Network of Practice framework.
Togbe Kwasinyi Kakaklolo Agyeman V, Dufia of Adidome and Chairman of the event, said the review created an opportunity to assess performance gaps and recalibrate strategies towards improved access to quality healthcare in 2026. He pledged continued support to advance progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
Mr Dodzi Addison Mornyuie, Central Tongu District Chief Executive, commended health workers and assured them of the Assembly’s continued backing to strengthen frontline service delivery.
GHBUSS
March 03, 2026
No comments:
Post a Comment