The Deputy Minister for Health, Professor Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has visited the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi to discuss the challenges affecting maternal healthcare delivery in the Ashanti Region. Her visit came as part of her first-day activities in the region, where she engaged with hospital management and frontline health workers to strengthen maternal healthcare and reduce preventable maternal deaths.
Challenges Confronting Maternal and Newborn Care
At KATH, the Deputy Minister held discussions with hospital management and health professionals to gain first-hand insight into the challenges confronting maternal and newborn care. The discussions focused on emergency obstetric care, referral systems, infrastructure, staffing, and other factors affecting maternal and newborn health outcomes. Health professionals at the facilities appealed to the government to expedite the completion of the Sewua and Afari hospitals, saying the two facilities would help reduce pressure on KATH and improve access to quality healthcare in the region.
Government Commitment to Addressing Maternal Healthcare Challenges
The Deputy Minister assured the hospital authorities and health workers that the government remained committed to addressing the challenges affecting maternal healthcare and strengthening the capacity of health facilities to provide timely and quality care. She also toured the labour wards, outpatient departments, and other key units at the two hospitals. The engagements at KATH and Kumasi South Hospital concluded the first day of her visit to the Ashanti Region, providing the Ministry with insights into the challenges and opportunities for improving maternal and newborn healthcare delivery in the region.
Patients Share Experiences with Healthcare Services
The Deputy Minister further interacted with patients on the wards to hear directly about their experiences and the care they were receiving. While details of the discussions were not provided, the visit is a significant step towards addressing the challenges facing maternal healthcare delivery in the Ashanti Region. The engagement between the Deputy Minister and health professionals and patients is crucial in identifying the root causes of the challenges and finding solutions to improve the quality of care.
What's Next for Maternal Healthcare in the Ashanti Region
The Deputy Minister's visit to the Ashanti Region marks a significant step towards addressing the challenges facing maternal healthcare delivery in the region. The government's commitment to strengthening the capacity of health facilities to provide timely and quality care is a welcome development. However, the completion of the Sewua and Afari hospitals is crucial in reducing pressure on KATH and improving access to quality healthcare in the region. The Ministry's next steps will be crucial in translating the insights gained from the visit into tangible improvements in maternal and newborn healthcare delivery in the region.
Source: Joy Online
