By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Tema, April 22, GNA – The Tema Metropolis recorded 12 maternal deaths in 2025, according to data from the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Unit of the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate.
Out of the total, the Tema General Hospital accounted for eight deaths, while Sinel Hospital and Tema New Crystal Clinic recorded two cases each.
This was revealed during the directorate’s health performance review, which brought together stakeholders to deliberate on health care in the metropolis.
The unit attributed the deaths largely to hypertensive disorders, haemorrhage and other medical complications, including pulmonary thromboembolism and acute chest syndrome.
Maternal mortality audits identified contributing factors such as delays in instituting medical interventions, lack of specialised expertise, transport and communication challenges, logistics constraints, and inadequate human resources.
The Directorate has called for strengthened emergency response systems, improved staffing, and enhanced capacity building for healthcare providers to reduce preventable maternal deaths.
Meanwhile, data from the directorate showed that antenatal care (ANC) coverage dropped from 94.42 per cent in 2023 to 78.67 per cent in 2024, before slightly improving to 81.73 per cent in 2025.
Although attendance for the fourth and eighth ANC visits remained relatively high, health officials noted that gaps in early registration and continuity of care could affect maternal and neonatal outcomes.
The data also indicated that only about five per cent of ANC registrants were adolescents, highlighting the need for targeted interventions for younger populations.
Health authorities are intensifying education and outreach programmes to improve early ANC registration and ensure consistent attendance throughout pregnancy.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah