The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate has raised concern over a worrying surge in maternal deaths, which have exceeded the national target of 125 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Regional Health Director, Dr Fred Adomako-Boateng, disclosed that 232 maternal deaths were recorded in just the first half of 2025.

This, he said, marks a significant increase compared to 144 deaths in 2023 and 158 in 2024.

“We are very worried about the situation because the numbers are rising at an alarming rate,” Dr Adomako-Boateng stated in a citinewsroom.com report on Friday, August 22, 2025.

He attributed the surge to uncoordinated referrals and inadequate capacity at peripheral health facilities.

18 maternal deaths in 5 months, mostly at prayer camps in E/R

According to him, many health centres and CHPS compounds lack the resources to handle emergencies, leading to avoidable deaths.

“If we do not put in place a functional gatekeeper system, effective referral filters, and ensure that our CHPS compounds and health centres are well-resourced, achieving quality coverage under the PHC by 2030 will remain elusive,” the report stated.

Dr Adomako-Boateng called on stakeholders to support the Directorate with critical interventions such as accommodation, security, equipment, and stronger accountability mechanisms.

“Without support from stakeholders, collectively supporting this gatekeeper system, supporting us with accommodation, security, equipment and holding us accountable, this cannot be done,” the report said.

Upper East Region records 40 maternal deaths in 2024

MRA/EB

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