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The Bono East Regional Health Directorate has reviewed its performance for the first half of 2025, reporting significant progress in public health and clinical care while introducing a new initiative aimed at reducing maternal mortality.
The half-year performance review, held at the Conference Hall of the Bono East Regional Coordinating Council, was conducted under the theme “Effective Supervision for Quality Health Care: Driving Excellence in Bono East Region.” The session, led by Bono East Regional Health Director Dr. Dr. Marion Okoh Owusu, brought together key stakeholders from across the region’s health sector.
The review also featured technical presentations on: Improving the Quality, Safety, and Continuity of Care through Effective Off-Hour Supervision, Analyzing the Gap: Exploring the Discrepancy in Delivery and Immunization Data, and Strengthening Disease Surveillance Systems in Response to the Mpox Outbreak: Lessons and Strategies
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Dr. Dr. Marion Okoh Owusu, announced that all major health indicators were on track. She revealed that the Family Planning Acceptor Rate target for the first six months was 40%, but the region achieved 42%, indicating increased acceptance of family planning services among residents.
She stressed the importance of early postnatal care, noting that the first 48 hours of a newborn’s life are critical in preventing early neonatal deaths. Bono East recorded a 98% follow-up rate during this period, ensuring that nearly all newborns received the required postnatal visits.
“I am pleased to announce to the general public that all our health indicators are performing well. For instance, our target for the Family Planning Acceptor Rate for the first half of the year was 40%, but we achieved 42%. This is a clear indication that the public has truly embraced the concept of family planning.”
“The first 48 hours of a newborn’s life are a critical period requiring regular follow-up visits to prevent early neonatal deaths. In assessing our follow-up performance, we recorded 98%, meaning virtually all newborn babies in the region received the required postnatal visit.” She stated.
The Bono East Regional Director also commended health professionals for ensuring the availability of medicines and promoting their rational use across facilities. According to her, the Regional Medical Stores, despite the region’s relatively new status, successfully completed three rounds of medical supplies in the first half of the year, a performance she described as “remarkable.”
“The first 48 hours of a newborn’s life are a critical period requiring regular follow-up visits to prevent early neonatal deaths. In assessing our follow-up performance, we recorded 98%, meaning virtually all newborn babies in the region received the required postnatal visit.
”The performance of our Regional Medical Stores is equally commendable. Although we are a relatively new region, the stores have successfully completed three rounds of medical supplies within the first half of the year, a remarkable achievement at this stage.” She stated
On maternal health, the Director expressed concern that nearly half of the region’s maternal deaths occur during off-duty hours. To address this, the Directorate has introduced a 24-hour supervision project to ensure that senior staff are present to oversee clinical services around the clock, including weekends and public holidays.
“We want to improve supervision at our antenatal care (ANC) clinics and labour wards. Our goal is to have supervision available 24/7 because sometimes pregnant women go into labour late at night, and if they arrive at the hospital when no senior staff are present, it can increase the risk of maternal mortality.
“Our data shows that almost half of the maternal deaths recorded in the region occur during off-duty hours. This is why we are committed to strengthening supervision to reduce and if possible, prevent maternal mortality.” She explained.
“Management has informed our authorities and stakeholders that we will require additional staff to effectively implement this initiative. I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to members of our communities to warmly welcome and support staff who are posted to their areas.” She explained.
She further noted that additional staff will be required to implement the initiative effectively and appealed to communities to warmly welcome health workers posted to their areas.
“Our staff are hardworking and dedicated, but I encourage them to strengthen their relationships with patients to ensure quality health care,” she added.
Source: Ghanaweb.mobi
