Western North Records 16 Maternal Deaths in First Half of 2026 — Health Directorate Raises Concern

Western North Records 16 Maternal Deaths in First Half of 2026 — Health Directorate Raises Concern

The Western North Region recorded 16 maternal deaths during the first half of 2026, a development that has raised concern among health authorities and stakeholders over the continued occurrence of preventable deaths among pregnant women and mothers.

The figures were disclosed during the 2026 Mid-Year Performance Review of the Western North Regional Health Directorate, held on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

The review brought together health officials and other stakeholders to assess the region’s health performance, identify challenges and discuss interventions needed to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes.

Speaking at the review, the Western North Regional Health Director, Dr. Paulina Cleara Appiah, described the maternal mortality situation as worrying and called for urgent and coordinated action to reduce preventable deaths.

According to the data presented at the review, Sefwi Wiawso recorded the highest number of maternal deaths with five cases, while Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai and Suaman recorded three cases each.

The remaining five deaths were recorded across other districts in the region.

Haemorrhage remains major contributor

Dr. Appiah disclosed that haemorrhage was one of the leading causes of maternal deaths, accounting for 31.2 percent of the cases recorded.

She further identified hypertensive disorders as another significant contributor to maternal mortality, while other medical complications also accounted for a considerable number of deaths.

The Regional Health Director stressed that although some maternal deaths may result from complex medical conditions, timely intervention and effective management can significantly improve outcomes for pregnant women and mothers.

Delays in care identified

One of the major concerns highlighted during the review was the delay in providing appropriate and adequate care to patients.

According to the findings presented, 14 out of the 16 maternal deaths were associated with delays in clinical decision-making, inadequate intervention or delayed escalation of care.

The situation, Dr. Appiah noted, underscores the need for health facilities and healthcare professionals to strengthen emergency response systems and ensure that critical cases receive timely attention.

She called for greater adherence to clinical protocols, prompt decision-making and improved coordination among healthcare providers, particularly when dealing with obstetric emergencies.

Call for stronger community involvement

Dr. Appiah also called on health workers, traditional leaders, community leaders, religious leaders and other stakeholders to intensify education and awareness programmes on maternal health.

She emphasised that reducing maternal mortality cannot be achieved by health professionals alone and requires collective responsibility from communities and institutions.

According to her, pregnant women and their families must be encouraged to seek skilled and timely healthcare, while communities should support women in accessing antenatal, delivery and postnatal services.

She further urged stakeholders to help identify and address barriers that may prevent pregnant women from receiving timely medical attention.

Need for urgent action

The Regional Health Directorate is expected to continue working with health facilities and other stakeholders to identify gaps contributing to maternal deaths and implement measures to address them.

The 16 maternal deaths recorded in the first half of 2026 have renewed calls for stronger emergency obstetric care, faster clinical decision-making, improved referral systems and increased public education on pregnancy-related complications.

Dr. Appiah stressed the need for collective action to reverse the trend and protect the lives of mothers across the Western North Region.

Health authorities say continued collaboration among healthcare providers, communities, traditional authorities and other relevant institutions will be critical to ensuring that preventable maternal deaths are reduced significantly in the region.

Source:Bibianinews.com