The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate is set to introduce innovative interventions to reduce maternal mortality following a disturbing surge in deaths recorded in the first half of 2025.
Regional Health Director, Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng, disclosed that the directorate will partner with the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) to launch a clinical mentorship programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of peripheral hospitals to handle maternal cases without unnecessary referrals.
In addition, a virtual labour room is being planned to link KATH with peripheral facilities.
The system will enable specialists at KATH to remotely monitor women in labour across the region and guide frontline health workers on when to intervene or initiate referrals.
“These strategies are designed to ensure timely, life-saving decisions at peripheral hospitals and reduce the pressure on KATH,” Dr. Adomako-Boateng stated during the 2025 half-year performance review of the directorate.
The new measures come in response to the 232 maternal deaths reported in the region between January and June this year, a sharp rise from 153 during the same period in 2024.
