Dr. Fred Adomako Boateng, the Bono East Regional Director of Health Services, has shared significant insights regarding the region’s maternal mortality rates and how measures can be kept in place to mitigate the situation.
Dr. Adomako began by addressing the concerning rise in maternal mortality rates. He noted that despite the fluctuations in data, the region is making strides towards the targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Doctor Fred highlighted both progress and challenges in addressing this critical health issue.
“Despite all these figures that are recorded, we are still within the range as stipulated by what Ghana wants to achieve, if you look at the standard of maternal mortality, that we are looking to achieve for [each region so that we] make sure that we are going closer to the SDG 3.”
Dr. Fred Adomako Boateng, the Bono East Regional Director of Health Service
Dr. Adomako presented a series of statistics to illustrate recent trends. In 2020, the maternal mortality rate was 95 per 100,000 live births. This number decreased slightly in 2021 to 80, but rose again to nearly 100 in 2023, a level that he described as “cause for alarm.”
However, Doctor Adomako highlighted that efforts have been made to address this issue, resulting in a reduction to 73 per 100,000 live births in the first half of 2024.
Addressing the causes of maternal mortality, Dr. Adomako discussed various factors affecting the rates. He pointed out that skilled attendance during delivery is crucial.
Moreover, Doctor Adomako pointed out that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that deliveries should be attended by skilled personnel. Doctor Fred Adomako pointed out that In 2020, 66% of women were delivered by skilled nurses, and this number remained at 68% through 2022. Surprisingly, in 2023, even with a rise in maternal mortality, 68% of women were still attended by skilled personnel.
He noted that despite this, “60% of all maternal deaths occur during delivery and labor,” underscoring the need for intensive focus on these critical periods.
Dr. Adomako also highlighted the importance of quality of care. This includes ensuring that every aspect of care, from monitoring blood pressure to implementing necessary interventions, is handled effectively. He stressed that improvements in quality are key to reducing maternal mortality rates.
“…60% of all maternal deaths occur during delivery, and labor. So it means that if attention is not paid during this area, the woman can attend [antenatal care] several times, but if we don’t pay attention to these quality issues at the point of labor and delivery, we will lose them.”
Dr. Fred Adomako Boateng, the Bono East Regional Director of Health Service
In response to the rising figures, the regional health services have implemented several measures to improve maternal care.
Dr. Adomako explained that a task force now focuses on reviewing maternal mortality rates quarterly, rather than waiting for longer periods.
Doctor Adomako further highlighted that they look at maternal mortality every quarter. “We don’t even wait for the 6 months,” he said. This proactive approach aims to identify and address issues more swiftly.
Additionally, Doctor Fred Adomako mentioned that previous recommendations from audits have led to significant improvements in care quality. “The quality has improved. This is affirming the fact that it’s not only coverages,” he said, emphasizing that while increasing the number of antenatal visits, the quality of these visits is crucial for effective care.
Dr. Adomako emphasized the broader implications of access to quality care. He reiterated that access alone is insufficient without quality. “Without quality, there is no access,” he asserted, highlighting that improving both access and quality is essential for reducing maternal mortality
The Rise of Maternal Deaths
Meanwhile, Doctor Fred Adomako highlighted a troubling increase in maternal mortality rates within the region, noting that 73 maternal deaths have been recorded from January to June this year.
The statistics reveal fluctuations over the past few years: the maternal mortality rate was 95 per 100,000 live births in 2020, decreased to 80 in 2021, and then increased to 85 in 2022. The rate spiked to 107 for the entire year of 2023 but showed improvement with a rate of 73 for 2024.
The region also reported an institutional maternal mortality rate of 6 per 1,000 live births as of midyear, which is below the target of 8. Similarly, the institutional neonatal mortality rate, which should ideally be 8 per 1,000 live births, showed mixed results over recent years. It was 6 in 2020, 8 in 2021, 7.6 in 2022, and 8.1 in 2023. For 2024, it has improved to 6.
Efforts to Improve Maternal Health
Meanwhile, Dr. Ms Alberha Blritchum Nyarko Director for Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the Ghana Health Service headquarters, emphasized on the significance of partnerships and resource mobilization to enhance healthcare, particularly in rural areas.
“In urban areas, there are many facilities in a particular area so people want to seek health care it is not difficult. There are bigger hospitals also in the Urban areas but in rural areas like this, this is where we even want to form that partnerships so that even if we are few, we are stronger together and we are more empowered to reach the community.”
Dr. Ms Alberha Blritchum Nyarko Director for Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation
In response to the rise in maternal deaths, a maternal task force has been established in the region, led by an obstetrician-gynecologist. This task force is dedicated to implementing recommendations from audits to ensure safer deliveries. Doctor Adomako noted.
The formation of this maternal task force is a crucial step in addressing maternal mortality. Their role is to educate and guide pregnant women, ensuring that best practices are followed for safer childbirth.
The initiatives and ongoing efforts are aimed at reducing mortality rates and improving the quality of maternal and neonatal care in the region.
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