The Ashanti Regional Health Director, Dr Emmanuel Tinkorang says most of the 181 recorded maternal deaths in the Ashanti Region in 2022 were referred cases from other regions.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Midday news on Wednesday, Dr Tinkorang explained that the Region receives referrals from most hospitals across the country.

“Though Ashanti Region's maternal death figures are high, you need to understand that we have one of the biggest referral facilities in this country, and we receive referrals from all over the country. So out of the 181 maternal deaths that we had in Ashanti Region, 122 died from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital,” he stated.

His comments come after reports reveal that 181 pregnant women died through childbirth in the Ashanti Region in 2022 alone.

The figure, according to the Ghana Health Service, represents 22 percent of the 875 mortalities recorded nationwide in the year under review.

According to him, the Region has been working around the clock to reduce maternal deaths since 2018, adding that before 2018, the Region recorded more than 200 maternal deaths.

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“In the year 2021, we recorded 151 maternal deaths which were better than the previous years.”

Dr Otinkorang noted that 50 percent of the deaths happen as a result of emergency obstetrics complications.

He listed the two major causes of complications as eclampsia and post-partum hemorrhage.

The Regional Health Director, however, noted that a meeting is underway to discuss the delayed referral of cases to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital as well as how to address and reduce maternal deaths in the Region.

He advised expectant mothers to arrive at the health facility on time to avoid complications, adding that the Region's health facilities are safe.