The Kassena-Nankana Municipal Health Directorate has raised alarm over a sharp increase in maternal deaths within the municipality, with four cases recorded in the first half of 2025 alone.
This represents a significant spike compared to just one maternal death reported throughout the entire year of 2024.
The Municipal Director of Health Services Dr. Edmond Mohammed Nelic Nyanwura, expressed serious concern over the trend, describing it as a major setback in the municipality’s long-standing efforts to improve maternal health outcomes.
“Our maternal mortality ratios kept on decreasing until this year, when things are not very good as compared to the previous years,”
“From 2021, we’ve kept decreasing in the ratio. And this year, we have about four maternal deaths so far, and that is quite high.” Dr. Nyanwura stated.
According to Dr. Nyanwura, while the causes of maternal deaths vary, a substantial number of the reported cases were preventable. He cited delayed access to skilled healthcare and unsafe abortion procedures stemming from unintended pregnancies as major contributing factors.
“What disturbs us most are the preventable ones. When you hear that somebody has died from an unintended pregnancy, then that is a cause to worry. Somebody who may not want a pregnancy goes to terminate it, and ends up dying because the person did it in the wrong way.” He explained.
He urged community members, particularly women of reproductive age, to seek early medical attention and make use of available reproductive health services.
Dr. Nyanwura reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to reversing the current setback, calling for stronger collaboration between health professionals, community leaders, and families to safeguard the lives of expectant mothers.
Mike 105.3 FM | Navrongo | Alexander Bombande
