The North East Regional Directorate of GHS conducted its 2024 annual performance review meeting, focusing on health program assessment and proposing future solutions. Key attendees included regional leaders and international partners. While there were decreases in OPD visits and deliveries, improvements in antenatal care and maternal health were noted. Addressing health infrastructure challenges remains essential for the region’s healthcare advancement.
The North East Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) recently convened its 2024 annual performance review meeting in Nalerigu, with a focus on assessing health programs and interventions from the past year. The meeting, themed “Rational Management of Health Workforce towards Achieving Quality Universal Health Coverage,” gathered various key stakeholders, including traditional leaders and representatives from international organizations, such as KOICA and UNICEF, to evaluate achievements and challenges while proposing solutions for future improvements.
Dr. Braimah Abubakari Baba, the Regional Director of GHS, outlined significant progress in healthcare delivery, notably the implementation of the Health Sector Medium-Term Development Plan aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. Although there was a slight decrease in Out-Patient Department (OPD) attendance, dropping from 498,448 in 2023 to 484,444 in 2024, antenatal care registration in the first trimester noted an increase from 40.6 percent to 42.3 percent.
Dr. Baba reported a decrease in total deliveries from 21,086 in 2023 to 20,553 in 2024 and a reduction in the regional institutional maternal mortality ratio, falling from 51 to 48 per 100,000 live births, surpassing the UHC goal of 70 per 100,000 by 2030. However, he expressed concern regarding rising stillbirth rates, which increased from 8.6 percent in 2023 to 9.1 percent in 2024, and an uptick in institutional neonatal mortality from four to six per 1,000 live births.
Key challenges highlighted during the meeting included incomplete health infrastructure that hinders efficient healthcare delivery, with the North East Region lacking a regional medical store, thus relying on the Northern Region for essential supplies. Mr. Ibrahim Tia, the North East Regional Minister, praised the GHS’s efforts in enhancing healthcare delivery and reinforced the government’s commitment to support the sector in achieving UHC.
Miss Myeongseon Kim, representing KOICA, expressed the Korean Government’s dedication to healthcare development in Ghana. She mentioned ongoing projects aimed at improving health security and maternal and child health, emphasizing the importance of healthcare workforce capacity, infrastructure, and community involvement in attaining better health outcomes. Traditional leader Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga acknowledged the GHS’s continuous commitment and underscored the significance of peace and stability in the region.
The North East Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service conducted its 2024 annual performance review to assess health programs and set solutions for upcoming challenges. Despite some declines in OPD attendance and deliveries, improvements in antenatal care and a reduction in maternal mortality rates indicate progress towards Universal Health Coverage. Continued governmental and international support, alongside addressing infrastructural challenges and community engagement, are pivotal for enhancing health outcomes in the region.
Original Source: gna.org.gh
