The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Health Directorate has raised concerns over persistent maternal deaths, a growing HIV burden and critical staffing shortfalls as it assessed the health sector’s performance during its 2025 District Health Annual Review Conference.

The conference, held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Omanye Aba Hall in Accra, brought together city authorities, health managers, development partners and community leaders to evaluate service delivery outcomes and map strategies for improvement.

Among the dignitaries present were the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, the Presiding Member, Musah Ziyad, Assembly Members, traditional and religious leaders, heads of departments, medical superintendents, facility managers, and members of the media.

Presenting the annual performance review, Metro Health Director Dr Louisa Ademki Matey described 2025 as a particularly demanding year for the Metro Health Service.

She noted that beyond routine healthcare delivery, the directorate had to respond to two significant public health emergencies, cholera and Mpox outbreaks, which stretched personnel and resources.

According to her report, the cholera outbreak, which began in October 2024, lasted until February 2025, recording 66 confirmed cases and two deaths. She linked the outbreak to environmental and sanitation challenges, including poor hygiene practices, inadequate waste management, limited toilet facilities and restricted access to clean water in some communities.

Dr Matey stressed that these underlying issues continue to pose risks to public health and require coordinated action from city authorities, households and partners.

Beyond infectious diseases, the directorate highlighted broader systemic concerns.

Maternal deaths remain a worrying indicator, while the HIV burden continues to place pressure on health facilities. Staffing gaps across facilities were also flagged as a major constraint, affecting service quality, response times and overall patient care.

Health officials called for stronger partnerships, improved governance systems and increased investment to enhance safety standards and healthcare outcomes across the metropolis.

Participants at the review conference emphasised the need for multi-sector collaboration, particularly between the health directorate, the assembly and community stakeholders, to address sanitation, infrastructure and workforce challenges that directly impact health delivery.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening preventive care, disease surveillance and resource mobilization to improve access to quality healthcare for residents across the capital.