The Ghana Health Service in the Upper East Region says the Bawku Municipality and its surrounding Districts have recorded 15 maternal deaths out of a total of 24 deaths recorded in the Region in mid-year of 2021.
It says the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital recorded 12 deaths, while Pusiga, Garu and the Tempane Districts recorded a death each.
Giving an overview of the region’s health performance at the 2021 Mid-Year Review Meeting, the Upper East Deputy Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service in charge of Public Health, Dr. Josephat Nyuzaghl, said sepsis, haemorrhage and eclampsia were the top three causes of the deaths.
The review meeting afforded the Ghana Health Service in the region the opportunity to take stock of its performances for the 2021 half-year, re-strategize to achieve set targets by end of the year, and make suggestions to help shape policies of the Service.
Dr Nyuzaghl said out of the total number of maternal deaths in the Bawku Municipality, seven of the deaths were recorded in June 2021, and indicated that the same number of pregnant women walked into the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital for delivery.
He noted that it was not entirely the fault of the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital, as some of the cases referred to the Hospital from the Districts reported in a bad state.
He said 13 out of the total number of pregnant women, representing 54% of those who died, visited the Ante-Natal Clinic at least four times.
The Deputy Director emphasized that it was not just about the access to healthcare services, but, the quality of Ante-Natal Clinic care and services provided was very critical.
