Maternal mortality on the rise at Tamale Teaching Hospital

The Tamale Teaching Hospital has for three consecutive years, recorded an upsurge in maternal mortality; something authorities have blamed on overcrowded wards and late transfer of critical cases to the facility among others.

Since its upgrade to a teaching hospital almost a decade ago, authorities have been putting measures in place to stem maternal mortality but a total of 27 cases were recorded in 2014, 39 in 2015 and 66 in 2016, figures from the facility showed.

Authorities say overcrowding of wards, unstable power and water supply as well as delays in transferring critical labour cases by some peripheral institutions have been impeding measures put in place to reduce maternal mortality at the facility Addressing the Hospital’s annual performance review meeting, Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Prosper Akanbon, observed these operational challenges were impeding the quality of service delivery for pregnant women.

“Our maternity wards are overcrowded which impedes quality services to our pregnant women” he said. The hospital recorded five percent surge in OPD attendance, whiles surgeries declined in the year under review. Dr. Akanbon revealed the facility will soon take delivery of a new oxygen plant to ensure constant supply of oxygen for quality health delivery.

“I am happy to announce that the hospital will take delivery of a new oxygen plant. We all know how the shortage of oxygen has affected operations of the hospital but soon all that will end as the new plant will boost our oxygen supply to the wards” he assured. Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saed, challenged management and staff of the Hospital to foster unity to meet the needs of patients.

“I am dismay at the internal wrangling that has eaten deep into staff which is affecting service delivery, I will use this opportunity to challenge the executive board to iron out their differences and forge ahead”.