Aflao: Two pregnant women died in 2024 in Ketu South with one death caused by hemolytic transfusion reaction (life-threatening reaction to receiving blood transfusion) and the other by sickle cell anaemia. The Municipality also recorded 24 stillbirths caused by antepartum haemorrhage, cord prolapse, and uterine rupture, and 19 infant deaths.
According to Ghana News Agency, this was disclosed at the Ketu South Health Directorate's 2024 programme of work review meeting held at Aflao. The meeting served as a forum to provide feedback to stakeholders in health on the performance of the Directorate, its successes, challenges, and the way forward for 2025.
Mr. David Yao Agbokpe, Municipal Director of Health Services, noted in an interview that the municipality was stagnating in the area of maternal health since the previous year also recorded deaths of two pregnant women from severe pre-eclampsia. This condition is a serious occurrence in pregnant women characterized by severe high blood pressure and signs of dysfunction of one or multiple major organs.
He expressed concern that the municipality had declared zero maternal deaths at the beginning of the year under review but unfortunately recorded two maternal deaths similar to the previous year. He urged health staff to increase efforts to attract pregnant women to health facilities to access services, including delivery. He also highlighted the loss of expectant mothers to traditional birth attendants and stressed the importance of involving other stakeholders, especially males, to ensure maternal and child health.
Mr. Agbokpe reported a decrease in skilled delivery during the period under review, from 51.1 percent in 2023 to 49.41 percent in 2024. Additionally, there was an increase in anaemia in pregnancy at 36 weeks, rising from 45 percent in 2023 to 47 percent in 2024.
Despite these challenges, the municipality saw an improvement in fourth antenatal care and postnatal care visits, increasing from 69.7 percent in 2023 to 70.2 percent in 2024 and from 99.7 percent in 2023 to 99.9 percent in 2024, respectively.
Speaking on the theme for the review meeting, "Strengthening the Primary Healthcare System for Improved Access to Quality Health Services Delivery: The Role of the Networks of Practice," Mr. Agbokpe announced that a network of practice, crucial in strengthening primary healthcare, had started in the municipality. He believed that with additional support, healthcare delivery would be enhanced.
He acknowledged the contributions of individuals and companies, including Mr. Felix Akakpo, Mr. Workman Atsu, Madam Beullah Klomegah, the Member of Parliament for the area, Let Your Light Shine Enterprise, and the Municipal Assembly, for providing critical facilities and supplies to support service provision and improve quality health delivery in the municipality.