Awutu bereku: The Awutu-Senya District Health Service has reported zero maternal mortality for the years 2023, 2024, and 2025. This remarkable achievement was announced by Dr. Felix Gerald Kwaning Darbbey, the District Health Service Director, during the 2025 Annual Performance Hearing summit held at Awutu Bereku.
According to Ghana Web, the Health Directorate oversees 30 Community Health Planning and Services compounds, two Health Centers, two Polyclinics, five Maternity Homes, and three Private Clinics. The theme for the summit, 'Reboot, Re-Center, Drive Universal Health Coverage,' urged participants to reflect on their collective journey, reassess priorities, and work towards achieving universal healthcare access in alignment with the mission of the World Health Organisation.
Dr. Darbbey shared that the district recorded 3,258 deliveries in 2023, which slightly increased to 3,280 in 2025. Anemia in pregnant women at 36 weeks saw a reduction from 3,029 in 2023 to 2,815 in 2024 but increased to 2,973 in 2025. Skilled deliveries followed a similar pattern, decreasing from 3,258 in 2023 to 2,923 in 2024 and rising to 3,280 in 2025. Traditional Birth Attendant deliveries continued to decline, from 211 in 2023 to 61 in 2025.
Dr. Darbbey noted a decrease in Out-Patient Department (OPD) attendants from 163 in 2023 to 75 in 2024, before rising to 193 in 2025. The number of clients with insured cards increased significantly to 90,363 in 2025. Hypertension cases rose from 595 in 2023 to 765 in 2025, while the Directorate recorded a decline in accidents from 392 in 2023 to 353 in 2025.
The director attributed these outcomes to the integration of funded activities, improved communication on skin diseases, wellness clinics, and enhanced monitoring and supervision at sub-district facilities. Antenatal Clinic attendance slightly increased to 5,829 in 2025, and teenage pregnancies decreased to 603 in 2025. The number of pregnant women tested for HIV also showed fluctuations, with the number testing positive reducing significantly to 39 in 2025.
Malaria continued to top the list of cases in the district, with a notable decrease to 17,360 in 2025. Upper respiratory tract infections and hypertension followed, with varied figures over the three years. Dr. Darbbey identified major concerns at the end of 2024, including inadequate funding, lack of vaccine fridges, insufficient space, and low TB case detection.
Key priorities for 2025 include intensifying community-based surveillance for priority diseases, improving TB case detection and reporting, and addressing challenges like road conditions and low-skilled deliveries. Dr. Darbbey emphasized the importance of strengthening primary healthcare services and community involvement to ensure access to free services for those not enrolled in NHIS.
Mr. Benjamin Addo, representing the Central Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service, commended the district's achievements and called for renewed commitment and innovation in the healthcare sector. He praised health workers across various sectors for their dedication and professionalism throughout 2025.