By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Tema, June 18, GNA – A total of 162 stillbirths was documented by the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate in 2025, raising concerns among health officials and stakeholders.
Data from the directorate as presented at the annual health performance review showed that out of the total 162 stillbirths in 2025, 97 were macerated stillbirths and 65 fresh stillbirths.
Health officials noted that the figures contributed significantly to the metropolis’ perinatal mortality rate, which stood at 45 deaths per 1,000 deliveries.
Presenting the data, Ms Doris Ocansey, the Adolescent Reproductive Health Focal Person for the directorate, explained that perinatal mortality comprised fresh and macerated stillbirths as well as early neonatal deaths, defined as the death of a baby within the first seven days of life.
According to her, trend analysis from 2022 to 2025 showed that while fresh stillbirths had generally declined over the years before recording a slight increase in 2025, macerated stillbirths remained consistently high.
She expressed concern over what she described as a disconnect between high antenatal care attendance and pregnancy outcomes, noting that antenatal care indicators showed that many pregnant women were making at least four visits and, in some cases, eight visits or more, exceeding programme targets.
She questioned why high antenatal attendance was not translating into better pregnancy outcomes, explaining that macerated stillbirths, which occur when a foetus dies before labour begins, are often used as an indicator of the quality and effectiveness of antenatal care services.
Ms Ocansey said the trend raises questions about whether pregnant women are receiving the quality of care required to identify and manage complications early enough to prevent foetal deaths.
Health officials and stakeholders present expressed concern about early neonatal deaths and called for a review of delivery and post-delivery care services to identify gaps affecting newborn survival.
They explained that fresh stillbirths are often associated with undetected foetal distress and delays in clinical decision-making during labour, while macerated stillbirths point to challenges during pregnancy before labour begins.
Facility-level data showed that the Tema General Hospital recorded the highest number of stillbirths, accounting for 147 of the 162 cases reported in the metropolis.
They stressed the importance of strengthening antenatal care quality, improving risk detection and ensuring timely referral and management of high-risk pregnancies.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Reporter’s email:[email protected]