The Oti Region is facing renewed pressure to strengthen child healthcare after infant mortality increased in 2025, despite significant progress in reducing deaths among pregnant women.
Dr Kofi Amo-Kodieh, Oti Regional Director of Health Services, said infant mortality rose from 2.8 to 3.38 deaths per 1,000 live births during the year, describing the development as a serious concern requiring urgent and coordinated intervention.
He disclosed this at the 2025 Annual Performance Review Meeting of the Oti Regional Health Directorate, held under the theme: “Strengthening Quality Public Health and Clinical Services for Improved Health Outcomes: The Role of the Health Professional.”
According to Dr Amo-Kodieh, the increase in infant deaths could be associated with gaps in neonatal care, delays in seeking medical attention and difficulties accessing quality healthcare in remote and hard-to-reach communities.
“We are making steady progress in reducing maternal deaths, but the rising infant mortality is a serious concern that requires urgent, coordinated action,” he said.
The region, however, recorded a major improvement in maternal health, with maternal mortality declining from 70 to 41 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2025.
Dr Amo-Kodieh attributed the reduction partly to increased access to skilled delivery services, which rose from 62.7 per cent to 67 per cent, as well as improved antenatal care and strengthened community-level health interventions.
“This achievement demonstrates the impact of targeted interventions and the commitment of health workers across the region,” he said.
Despite the progress, the Regional Director said several reproductive and child health indicators remained a concern.
Anaemia among pregnant women increased to 29.4 per cent, raising concerns about maternal nutrition and its potential implications for pregnancy outcomes.
Some childhood immunisation indicators also recorded marginal declines, a development he said could increase children’s vulnerability to preventable diseases if not urgently addressed.
Teenage pregnancy, however, recorded a slight decline during the review period, while outpatient attendance increased marginally, indicating improved access to basic healthcare services and growing public use of health facilities.
Dr Amo-Kodieh identified inadequate health infrastructure, shortages of critical health professionals and logistical difficulties as some of the major constraints affecting healthcare delivery in the region.
The Directorate is also operating without a regional medical store, which he said had affected the efficient distribution of medical supplies.
The region also faces a shortage of about 60 medical doctors, further placing pressure on existing healthcare services.
Another concern is the increasing encroachment on lands reserved for health facilities.
Dr Amo-Kodieh warned that continued encroachment could limit the region’s ability to expand healthcare infrastructure in the future.
“Without immediate steps to secure these lands, we risk losing critical space needed for future health projects,” he cautioned.
To improve healthcare delivery, the Regional Health Directorate has completed a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Worawora Government Hospital.
A dedicated transformer has also been installed to stabilise vaccine cold-chain systems, while construction of an oxygen plant is ongoing to improve emergency and critical care services.
Dr Amo-Kodieh called for stronger collaboration among government, local authorities and development partners to address the region’s health infrastructure, human-resource and logistical challenges.
He said sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure, personnel and community-based services would be necessary to consolidate the reduction in maternal deaths while reversing the rising trend in infant mortality.
“We must build on the progress made and intensify efforts to ensure that every mother and child has access to quality healthcare, regardless of location,” he added.
He reaffirmed the Ghana Health Service’s commitment to improving health outcomes in the Oti Region and expressed optimism that stronger support and coordinated interventions would help reduce preventable deaths and advance universal health coverage.
