At least 60 women died from maternal-related complications in the Upper East Region alone in the year 2025, the Regional Director of Health Services of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Barimah Baba Abubakari, has revealed.

According to Dr Abubakari, the alarming figure is a clear indication that maternal health in the region requires urgent and collective attention from all stakeholders, including government agencies, health professionals, traditional leaders, husbands, and families at the household level.

He made this disclosure during the commissioning of a new National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) office at Nangodi in the Nabdam District, an event attended by health officials, traditional authorities, opinion leaders, and residents of the area.

Dr Abubakari explained that many maternal deaths were preventable if pregnant women received timely antenatal care, skilled delivery services, and adequate postnatal support. 

He stressed that beyond the health system, social and cultural practices also played a significant role in maternal outcomes.

“This situation needs serious attention from all stakeholders. Husbands, families, and home guidance are critical in ensuring that pregnant women attend antenatal clinics, deliver at health facilities, and seek early care when complications arise,” he said.

The regional health director also highlighted the persistent challenge of inadequate health personnel in the Upper East Region, describing it as a major setback to achieving quality and universal healthcare. 

He revealed that although 35 medical officers were posted to the region, only six had so far reported.

Even more worrying, Dr Abubakari disclosed that out of the six medical officers who reported, only one had accepted posting to a district hospital, leaving several health facilities severely understaffed.

“This situation makes it difficult to provide comprehensive and timely healthcare services, especially in rural districts where the need is greatest. We must adopt pragmatic and innovative approaches to improve universal healthcare coverage,” he added.

He noted that the commissioning of the NHIS office in Nangodi was a step in the right direction, as it would bring health insurance services closer to the people, reduce travel time, and improve access to healthcare, particularly for women and vulnerable groups.

For his part, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Nabdam Constituency, Dr Mark-Kurt Nawaane, assured residents of his commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the constituency and the Upper East Region as a whole.

Dr Nawaane, who also serves as the Chairman of the Health Committee in Parliament, said he was working tirelessly with relevant institutions to ensure that the region received the health infrastructure, personnel, and logistics needed to address its health challenges.

He emphasised that achieving basic healthcare for all remained a key priority for the Government of Ghana (GoG), in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

“Universal access to basic healthcare is something the government is fully committed to achieving before 2030. We will continue to push policies and investments that strengthen the health system, especially in underserved areas like Nabdam,” Dr Nawaane stated.

The commissioning of the NHIS office, stakeholders believe, will contribute significantly to improving healthcare access and reducing preventable deaths, including maternal mortality, in the district and the wider Upper East Region.