By Kingsley Mamore
Dambai (O/R), Aug. 27, GNA – The Oti Regional Health Directorate has recorded improvements in skilled deliveries and neonatal mortality during the first half of 2026, although concerns remain over increasing stillbirths and adolescent pregnancies in some districts.
Dr Kofi Amo-Kodieh, Oti Regional Director of Health Services, made the disclosure at the Directorate’s 2026 Half-Year Performance Review Meeting held in Dambai.
He said skilled deliveries increased from 67.54 per cent in the first half of 2025 to 70.93 per cent during the corresponding period in 2026, surpassing the national target of 65 per cent.
Dr Amo-Kodieh, however, noted that the Guan District recorded the lowest skilled delivery rate of 27.66 per cent.
He said the Directorate would investigate the factors accounting for the low rate to understand why some women who became pregnant within the district did not deliver in health facilities there and to develop appropriate interventions.
The Director said the stillbirth rate increased from 5.24 per cent in the first half of 2025 to 7.61 per cent during the same period in 2026.
He indicated that the Biakoye District recorded the highest stillbirth rate of 26.55 per cent, a development that required urgent attention.
On maternal health, Dr Amo-Kodieh said anaemia among pregnant women at 36 weeks of gestation declined from 30.11 per cent in 2025 to 25.62 per cent in 2026.
He expressed concern over the situation in the Krachi West District, which recorded a relatively high anaemia rate of 58.6 per cent.
Dr Amo-Kodieh stressed the need for intensified nutrition education and counselling for pregnant women, including the consumption of iron-rich foods such as meat, vegetables and other nutritious meals.
The review also revealed a marginal increase in adolescent pregnancy from 10.39 per cent in the first half of 2025 to 10.93 per cent in 2026.
Nkwanta South Municipality recorded the highest adolescent pregnancy rate at 13.16 per cent.
Dr Amo-Kodieh said the Directorate would strengthen efforts to identify and address factors contributing to adolescent pregnancies, particularly in communities facing socio-economic and security challenges.
The report further showed that the region achieved 88.17 per cent coverage for Penta Three, 82.33 per cent for Measles-Rubella Two and 75.36 per cent for the third dose of Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy (IPT3).
The Regional Director said neonatal mortality declined significantly from 2.22 per cent in the first half of 2025 to 1.21 per cent during the same period in 2026.
He noted, however, that Jasikan District recorded the highest neonatal mortality rate of 3.99 per cent, necessitating targeted interventions to address district-specific challenges.
Dr Amo-Kodieh said the Directorate would continue to strengthen maternal, newborn and child health services, improve immunisation coverage and intensify public education to sustain the gains made and address emerging challenges.
He called for enhanced collaboration among health workers, traditional and religious leaders, community members, and other stakeholders to improve health outcomes across the Oti region.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah