The North East Regional Health Directorate held its 2024 annual performance review meeting in Nalerigu, evaluating health initiatives and setting strategies for the future. Key figures, including Dr. Braimah Abubakari Baba, highlighted both achievements in antenatal care and challenges such as rising stillbirth rates. The meeting emphasized the importance of continued support and engagement to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
The North East Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) convened its 2024 annual performance review meeting in Nalerigu, focusing on improving healthcare management for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Stakeholders, including traditional leaders and international partners such as KOICA and UNICEF, participated in this two-day event aimed at evaluating past achievements and challenges, while formulating strategies for enhanced healthcare performance in 2025.
Dr. Braimah Abubakari Baba, the Regional Director, reported significant advancements in the health sector, particularly in alignment with the Health Sector Medium-Term Development Plan to achieve UHC by 2030. However, he noted a 2.8 percent decrease in Out-Patient Department attendance, dropping from 498,448 in 2023 to 484,444 in 2024. On a positive note, antenatal care registrations in the first trimester rose from 40.6 percent to 42.3 percent, reaffirming the Directorate’s commitment to improving health education on early pregnancy.
The total number of births also decreased slightly from 21,086 in 2023 to 20,553 in 2024, while the regional maternal mortality rate improved from 51 to 48 per 100,000 live births. Dr. Baba expressed concern about increased stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates, which rose from 8.6 percent to 9.1 percent and from four to six per 1,000 live births, respectively.
Major challenges such as incomplete health infrastructure impede quality healthcare delivery. The North East Region, one of six newly established areas, currently lacks a regional medical store, forcing reliance on the Northern Region for essential medical supplies. Mr. Ibrahim Tia, Regional Minister, commended the GHS’s healthcare initiatives, reaffirming the government’s dedication to the health sector.
Miss Myeongseon Kim from KOICA highlighted ongoing projects that enhance health security and maternal child health in the North East and Upper East Regions. She underscored the necessity of improving healthcare workforce capabilities and facilities to achieve better health outcomes. The Overlord of the Mamprugu, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, praised the GHS’s commitment, emphasizing the essential role of peace and stability for healthcare progress in the region.
The North East Regional Health Directorate successfully evaluated its health initiatives during the 2024 annual performance review, marking both progress and challenges in healthcare delivery. Efforts to improve antenatal care and maternal mortality rates have shown promise, despite ongoing issues with healthcare infrastructure and rising stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates. Continued support from government and international partners, along with community engagement, will be crucial in ensuring sustained advancements towards achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
Original Source: gna.org.gh
