- Skilled delivery coverage has declined from 54% to 59% in Eastern region between 2022 to 2025.
- The decline threatens maternal healthcare, with maternal mortality remaining high at approximately 113 deaths per 100,000 live births.
- The Regional Health Directorate is implementing targeted interventions to reverse the trend, including the deployment of midwives to underserved areas.
- The government is investing heavily in the health sector, including infrastructure expansion, strengthening Health Insurance, and human resource development.
The Eastern Region of Ghana continues to grapple with a worrying trend in maternal healthcare, with skilled delivery coverage declining from 54% to 59% between 2022 and 2025. This decline poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of pregnant women in the region, with maternal mortality remaining unacceptably high at approximately 113 deaths per 100,000 live births.
According to Dr. Damien Punguyire, the Regional Director of Health Services, the decline in skilled delivery coverage is a serious public health issue that reflects the inability of some pregnant women to access safe and supervised delivery services. Speaking at the 2025 Eastern Regional Annual Performance Review Meeting, Dr. Punguyire expressed his concern, emphasizing that the decline is not just a statistical concern but a matter of life and death for the women and their babies.
Causes of Decline
Dr. Punguyire attributed the decline in skilled delivery coverage to several factors, including the maldistribution of skilled birth attendants across districts, infrastructure gaps in hard-to-reach communities, and the lingering effects of health system disruptions in the post-COVID period. He noted that the lack of access to safe and supervised delivery services is a major contributor to the high maternal mortality rate in the region.
The Regional Health Director emphasized that the situation is not acceptable and that the Regional Health Directorate is taking steps to address the issue. He announced plans to deploy midwives to underserved areas, expand Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) infrastructure, and strengthen partnerships to address critical access barriers.
Government's Commitment to Improving Healthcare
The Eastern regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, assured that the government is investing heavily in the health sector, including infrastructure expansion, strengthening Health Insurance, and human resource development. She noted that the government plans to roll out Free Primary healthcare, which will further improve access to healthcare services for pregnant women and their families.
The Minister's assurance is a welcome development, and it is essential that the government follows through on its commitment to improving healthcare in the Eastern Region. The region's healthcare system requires a concerted effort to address the underlying issues that are contributing to the decline in skilled delivery coverage.
Targeted Interventions
The Regional Health Directorate is implementing targeted interventions to reverse the trend of declining skilled delivery coverage. The interventions include the deployment of midwives to underserved areas, expansion of CHPS infrastructure, and strengthening partnerships to address critical access barriers. The goal is to increase skilled delivery coverage to at least 60 percent by the end of 2026.
The targeted interventions are a step in the right direction, and it is essential that the Regional Health Directorate monitors the progress closely. The interventions must be tailored to the specific needs of the communities, and the Regional Health Directorate must engage with the communities to ensure that the interventions are effective.
Looking Ahead
The decline in skilled delivery coverage in the Eastern Region is a serious public health issue that requires immediate attention. The Regional Health Directorate's targeted interventions are a welcome development, and it is essential that the government follows through on its commitment to improving healthcare in the region. The region's healthcare system requires a concerted effort to address the underlying issues that are contributing to the decline in skilled delivery coverage.
In the short term, the Regional Health Directorate aims to increase skilled delivery coverage to at least 60 percent by the end of 2026. This is a challenging target, but it is achievable with the right interventions and a commitment to improving healthcare in the region.
In the long term, the Regional Health Directorate seeks to reverse the trend of declining skilled delivery coverage and improve maternal healthcare outcomes in the Eastern Region. This requires a sustained effort to address the underlying issues that are contributing to the decline in skilled delivery coverage.
The government's commitment to improving healthcare in the Eastern Region is a positive development, and it is essential that the government follows through on its commitment. The region's healthcare system requires a concerted effort to address the underlying issues that are contributing to the decline in skilled delivery coverage.
The decline in skilled delivery coverage in the Eastern Region is a serious public health issue that requires immediate attention. The Regional Health Directorate's targeted interventions are a welcome development, and it is essential that the government follows through on its commitment to improving healthcare in the region.
In conclusion, the decline in skilled delivery coverage in the Eastern Region is a serious public health issue that requires immediate attention. The Regional Health Directorate's targeted interventions are a welcome development, and it is essential that the government follows through on its commitment to improving healthcare in the region.
