By Ewoenam Kpodo
Aflao (VR), Feb 22, GNA – Two pregnant women died in 2024 in Ketu South with one death caused by hemolytic transfusion reaction (life-threatening reaction to receiving blood transfusion) and the other by sickle cell anaemia.
The Municipality also recorded 24 stillbirths caused by antepartum haemorrhage (genital bleeding during pregnancy), cord prolapse (an obstetrics emergency) and uterine rapture, and 19 infant deaths.
This was disclosed at the Ketu South Health Directorate’s 2024 programme of work review meeting held at Aflao, a forum to give feedback to stakeholders in health on the performance of the Directorate, its successes and challenges and the way forward for the 2025 year.
Mr David Yao Agbokpe, Municipal Director of Health Services, in an interview with Ghana News Agency, said the municipality was stagnating in the area of maternal health as the previous year also recorded deaths of two pregnant women, from severe pre-eclampsia, a serious condition occurring in pregnant women with severe high blood pressure and signs of dysfunction of one or multiple major organs.
“The municipality declared zero maternal death at the beginning of the year under review but unfortunately, it recorded two maternal deaths just as the same two maternal deaths in 2023.”
He charged the health staff to put in more effort to attract pregnant women to visit health facilities to access services, including delivery noting, the Directorate was losing some expectant mothers to traditional birth attendants while asking for the involvement of other stakeholders, especially males to ensure maternal and child health.
“Skilled delivery had seen a decrease in the period under review, that’s from 51.1 percent in 2023 to 49.41 percent in 2024. Furthermore, there was an increase in anaemia in pregnancy at 36 weeks. It increased from 45 percent in 2023 to 47 percent in 2024.”
The municipality however, saw an improvement in fourth antenatal care and postnatal care visits, from 69.7 percent in 2023 to 70.2 percent in 2024, and 99.7 percent in 2023 to 99.9 percent in 2024 respectively.
The Municipal Director, speaking on the theme for the review meeting, “Strengthening the Primary Healthcare System for Improved Access to Quality Health Services Delivery: The Role of the Networks of Practice,” announced that network of practice, crucial in strengthening primary healthcare had started in the municipality and that with little push, healthcare delivery would be enhanced.
He acknowledged some individuals and companies, including Mr Felix Akakpo, Mr Workman Atsu, Madam Beullah Klomegah and the Member of Parliament for the area as well as Let Your Light Shine Enterprise and the Municipal Assembly for providing critical facilities and supplies to support service provision to improve quality health delivery in the municipality.
GNA