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Institutional maternal mortality has increased from 48 per 100,000 live births in 2024 to 60 per 100,000 live births in 2025 in the North East Region, representing a rise from 10 to 14 cases.
The North East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Godfred Kwabena Sarpong, who disclosed this, attributed the situation to inadequate health infrastructure, including district hospitals, doctors, regional medical stores and a regional hospital.
He said most of the deaths were preventable but there were gaps in quality care, referral systems and emergency response, adding that the region was still depending on the Northern Regional Medical Stores for medical supplies.
He indicated that the figures might understate the situation, as many maternal deaths in communities go unreported.
Nonetheless, Dr Sarpong said the directorate was working closely with the relevant stakeholders to strengthen monitoring and community education to help curb the situation.
Dr Sarpong was speaking at the 2025 Annual Performance Review in Nalerigu last Tuesday March 31, which was on the theme: “Advancing Universal Health Coverage through Innovation, Accountability and 24-Hour Quality Health Services: The Role of Stakeholders.”
The three-day review meeting brought together health workers and stakeholders to assess performance, identify gaps and propose solutions to help improve healthcare delivery in the region.
Despite the increase in maternal mortality and other challenges, the region recorded some gains in other health indicators.
The Regional Health Director said no malaria-related deaths have been recorded so far in 2026, while incidence declined from 166 to 130 cases per 1,000 population.
He added that Tuberculosis case retention had improved from 47.8 per cent in 2024 to 80.9 per cent in 2025, with treatment success rates exceeding 90 per cent.
Moreover, he said neonatal mortality also declined slightly from six to five per 1,000 live births over the same period.
Dr Sarpong, therefore, called for effective collaboration to help address challenges facing the healthcare delivery in the region.
For his part, the Director for Special Duties at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Abdulai Abukari, said achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) remained a major challenge, particularly for developing countries.
He said the North East Region, which was relatively new, required significant investment in infrastructure, human resources, equipment and logistics to catch up with more established regions.
He stressed the need for increased investment in infrastructure and human resources to improve healthcare delivery in the region.
The North East Regional Minister, Ibrahim Tia, commended health workers and urged them to sustain their efforts.
He said the government’s Free Primary Health Care policy would be rolled out this year to expand access to essential services at CHPS compounds, health centres and polyclinics.
He indicated that the region would receive six completed CHPS compounds with accommodation to improve service delivery and encouraged health professionals to accept postings to the area.
