The Greater Accra Regional Health Directorate has held its Annual Performance Review for 2025, bringing together key stakeholders in the health sector to assess progress, address persistent challenges, and propose practical solutions to improve healthcare delivery across the region. The meeting provided an important platform for health professionals, policymakers, and partners to reflect on the performance of the sector over the past year and identify priority areas that require urgent attention.

A major concern highlighted during the review was the issue of maternal and perinatal mortality, which continues to pose a significant challenge to healthcare delivery in the region. Delivering remarks at the meeting, Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Robert Amesiaya, revealed that the region recorded underperformance in this critical area. He noted that the maternal mortality ratio increased from 167 per 100,000 live births in 2024 to 176 per 100,000 live births in 2025, describing the rise as worrying and unacceptable.

According to Dr. Amesiaya, the increase in maternal deaths underscores the need for intensified efforts to protect the lives of mothers and newborns. He stressed that every maternal death is a tragedy that should be prevented through timely, quality, and coordinated care. He further indicated that improving maternal health outcomes remains a top priority for the Regional Health Directorate.

In response to the situation, Dr. Amesiaya mentioned asintroduced the zonal concept as a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening monitoring, coordination, and response mechanisms across the region. The initiative divides Greater Accra into six zones, allowing for more focused supervision and improved management of maternal and perinatal health issues. Under this system, all maternal and perinatal deaths are thoroughly audited and discussed among healthcare professionals, with clear action plans developed to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

He explained that the zonal approach provides a structured platform for healthcare workers to review cases in detail, identify systemic gaps, and share lessons learned. This collaborative process, he noted, enhances accountability and ensures that practical solutions are implemented at all levels of care. Early indications suggest that the initiative is beginning to yield positive results, particularly in addressing some of the underlying factors contributing to maternal and perinatal deaths.

Despite these efforts, Dr. Amesiaya emphasized that reducing maternal mortality cannot be achieved by the health sector alone. He called for stronger collaboration among key stakeholders, including local government authorities, clinicians, development partners, and community leaders. He stressed the importance of community engagement, timely referrals, and improved access to quality healthcare services as essential components of the solution.

He further urged all participants at the review meeting to reflect deeply on the challenges discussed and commit to implementing innovative and practical interventions. According to him, sustained commitment and collective action are critical to reversing the current trend and improving maternal and newborn health outcomes in the region.

Dr. Amesiaya concluded by reaffirming the Directorate’s commitment to ensuring that no woman loses her life while giving birth and that every newborn receives the best possible start to life. He expressed confidence that with coordinated efforts and shared responsibility, significant progress can be made in reducing maternal and perinatal mortality in Greater Accra.