Maternal deaths in Ghana remain alarmingly high despite the country’s access to medical knowledge, drugs, and health facilities. At the Korle Bu Nursing and Midwifery Training College annual health conference, obstetrician-gynaecologist Dr Elikem Oklu questioned why women still die during childbirth. “Why are women still dying in the midst of all this knowledge? It’s because for most of us, we do not make a connection between what we know and what we do,” he said.
Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio stands at about 234 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to Ministry of Health figures. Institutional maternal deaths reached 965 in 2025. Dr Oklu said the gap between medical expertise and clinical practice remains a challenge for the country’s healthcare system.
He argued that improving maternal and neonatal outcomes requires health professionals to apply their training consistently, especially in emergencies. The obstetrician also pointed to health workers’ attitude and institutional culture as critical factors. “Empathy and communication can make a difference even when treatment does not result in a positive outcome,” he said. He urged health workers to communicate openly on the wards, make appropriate referrals, and renew their dedication to professional duty.
The conference also included remarks from University of Ghana School of Law lecturer Rachel Haizel. She raised concerns about the limited litigation of medical negligence cases in Ghana. “We are not suing them enough. If you see the kind of treatment that some of these health practitioners give to their patients, it’s horrible,” she said.
Haizel emphasised that healthcare professionals owe patients a duty of care and must exercise reasonable care and skill according to the standards expected of their profession. She suggested that fewer lawsuits could weaken accountability for poor professional conduct in some health facilities.
The issues raised at the Korle Bu conference come amid ongoing debates about patient safety and quality of care in Ghana’s maternal health sector. The Ministry of Health’s figures show a persistent rate of deaths that many consider preventable. Dr Oklu’s call to close the gap between knowledge and practice points to challenges beyond resources—centering on behaviour, communication, and professional responsibility within clinical settings.
Health workers face pressure to respond effectively to emergencies while maintaining empathy toward patients. The conference discussions also implied that systemic issues, such as institutional culture and accountability mechanisms, influence health outcomes. The limited number of medical malpractice lawsuits suggests a reluctance or barrier in seeking legal recourse, potentially allowing poor care to continue unchecked.
The conference did not offer specific new policies or reforms but focused on internal reflection among healthcare practitioners. Dr Oklu’s remarks highlighted the need for health workers to connect their training with their daily clinical actions. Haizel’s comments introduced a legal dimension to the conversation about patient safety, calling for greater scrutiny of professional conduct through litigation.
Ghana’s efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths face persistent challenges despite medical expertise and infrastructure. The discussions at Korle Bu indicate that addressing attitudes within health facilities and improving accountability could be as urgent as providing drugs and equipment.
According to Joy Online.
