Despite Ghana’s free maternal health policy, many new mothers continue to face crippling hospital bills, forcing some to remain detained in hospital wards long after delivery.
At the Trauma and Specialist Hospital in Winneba, Citi News encountered mothers who had spent weeks in detention because they could not clear their bills. One of them, Philippa Asante, said her costs escalated due to liver complications during childbirth. “I have been here for several weeks after giving birth. I am struggling to pay my bills… I rely on lunch offered by the hospital and occasional help from other patients,” she said.
Health workers say the situation is common in rural and peri-urban facilities where patients have fewer resources. “The patients mostly from rural communities are unable to settle their bills. Sometimes, as medical staff, we step in to support or mobilise funds from benevolent people,” explained Kemor Mathilda, a midwife at the Gomoa Oguaa Clinic.
The problem stems from the fact that while the free maternal health policy covers standard delivery costs, several basic necessities and complications during childbirth — such as surgical procedures, emergency medication, and treatment for underlying conditions — remain outside the package. This leaves vulnerable women exposed to financial strain.
In the Central Region, some NGOs have stepped in to fill the gap. One such group, led by philanthropist Selassie Doughan, has supported mothers in facilities across Gomoa and Winneba. But she insists a structural fix is needed. “The policy is actually supporting mothers, but it needs a review. It must cover every cost of labour and delivery. Until then, we’ll keep supporting mothers in whatever way we can,” she said.
Experts argue that unless the government expands the scope of maternal healthcare coverage, the policy risks falling short of its goal of protecting vulnerable women and reducing maternal mortality. For now, many mothers remain trapped in hospital wards — not by medical need, but by poverty.
