One Hundred and twenty two (122) institutional maternal deaths were recorded in the Eastern Region in 2013.
The figure is an increase from 116 maternal deaths recorded in 2012.
This was disclosed by the Deputy Eastern Regional Director of Ghana Health Service (GHS), Mr. Asare Bediako Micah, during the 2013 Annual Performance Review Meeting of the East Akim Municipal Health directorate held on Wednesday.
According to Mr. Bediako, the situation is worrying especially at a point when the regional health directorates have put measures such as establishment of CHIP compounds, capacity building for Midwives, and intensification of maternal health education to reduce maternal deaths drastically in the region.
He however admitted that inadequate trained midwives, poor road networks, lack of funds and late antenatal attendants still remains a challenge to the fight against maternal mortality. He therefore appealed to stakeholders to play their expected roles to curb the menace.
Dr. Ekow Keitoo, the Municipal Director of Ghana Health Service in his presentation said though the Municipality recorded four (4) maternal deaths in 2013 which is less than nine (9) recorded in 2012, the situation is regrettable as the directorate targeted zero maternal deaths in the year under review.
He assured that more efforts will be committed to ensuring zero maternal deaths this year. He also bemoaned the activities of illegal mining which he said have led to an increase in teenage pregnancy adding that 409 abortion cases were recorded in the year under review.