The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has recorded a marginal reduction in the numbers of maternal and institutional all-cause mortalities in the Upper West Region.
It said the region recorded 16 maternal deaths in 2022 compared to 28 deaths in 2021 while all-cause mortality rate reduced from 19.2% in 2021 to 16.4% in 2022.
This was disclosed by the Upper West Regional Director of the GHS, Dr Damien Punguyire during the 2022 health sector performance review meeting.
He added prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women at 36 weeks and stillbirth rates also experienced reductions.
However, Dr Punguyire disclosed institutional deaths due to malaria in children under five years increased from 0.1 to 0.2 per cent while neonatal mortality rate stagnated at 6 per 1000 live births.
Dr Punguyire commended the Director-General of the GHS for allowing the Regional Directorate to use its quota to acquire medical doctors to improve the delivery of essential healthcare services.
He said most doctors refuse to accept postings to the region but that the decision to recruit doctors at the regional level did help.
A member of the Medical Council expressed optimism that the institution of the Ghana Health Service Excellence Awards scheme, which was launched only last year, would help recognize and motivate health staff to give off their best.