One hundred and eighty-one pregnant women in the Ashanti Region died through childbirth in 2022 alone. 

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

The period under review saw the maternal mortality rate increase marginally from 132 to 134 per 10,000 live births.

Several reasons have been assigned for the disturbing figure at an annual health performance review ongoing in the region.

Speaking at the event, the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate, Dr Emmanuel Tinkorang said the major cause of maternal deaths are eclampsia and postpartum haemorrhage.

He added that the percentage of maternal death audited in the region was 100%.

“Maternity death still remains a major challenge in the region during the year under review, our maternal mortality rate increases marginally from 110 to 2000 live birth to 134 per 100,000 live birth.

“The total number of maternal deaths recorded in the region was 181,” he said.

He went on to say that during the year, the region however saw an improvement in some key indicators, whilst other indicators reduced the family planning accepted rate reduced slightly from 28.1 in 2021 to 27.4 in 2022.

The proportion of service delivery improved from 60.7 in 2021 to 65% in 2022.

The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy also improved from 33.3% in 2020, dropping to 29.6% in 2022, he stated.

on his part, the General Service Dr Patrick Kumah Aboakye is unhappy with the maternal death figures in the Ashanti Region.

He wants head authorities to work on reducing maternal mortality in order to reduce the national burden.