Deputy Minister for Health, Hon. Ayensu-Danquah, has visited the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and Kumasi South Hospital at Asokwa to assess challenges affecting maternal and newborn healthcare delivery in the Ashanti Region.
The visit forms part of the Ministry of Health’s efforts to strengthen maternal healthcare services and accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal deaths, particularly at major referral facilities handling high volumes of maternal and newborn cases.
At both facilities, Hon. Ayensu-Danquah held discussions with hospital management and frontline health professionals to gain first-hand information on challenges affecting healthcare delivery.
The discussions focused on emergency obstetric care, referral systems, infrastructure, staffing and other factors that influence maternal and newborn health outcomes.
Health professionals at the facilities appealed to government to expedite the completion of the Sewua and Afari Hospitals, saying the two facilities would help decongest KATH and improve access to quality healthcare services within the Ashanti Region.
They said the pressure on existing referral facilities continues to affect service delivery and called for the expansion of healthcare infrastructure to meet the growing needs of the region’s population.
In response, Hon. Ayensu-Danquah assured hospital authorities and health professionals of government’s commitment to addressing the challenges identified and improving the capacity of health facilities to provide timely and quality care to mothers and newborns.
As part of the engagement, the Deputy Minister toured the labour wards, outpatient departments and other key units of the hospitals. She also interacted with patients on the wards to hear directly about their experiences and the quality of care they were receiving.
The engagements at KATH and Kumasi South Hospital marked the conclusion of the first day of the Deputy Minister’s visit to the Ashanti Region. The Ministry says the interactions provided important insights into the challenges confronting maternal healthcare delivery and will support efforts to improve services and reduce preventable maternal deaths in the region.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe