The Ho Municipal Health Director, Perfect Titiati has indicated that maternal mortality has been “very high” in the municipality within the last two years.

She said 13 absolute deaths which translates into 497 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births were recorded in the first half of 2023, while 2022 recorded 8 absolute deaths which translates into 308 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

“Our Teaching Hospital recorded 11 out of the 13 maternal deaths, and the Ho Municipal Hospital recorded two between January and June 2023", she said at the launch of the Maternal Health Project by the Rotary Club of Ho.

She said community-related issues and disregard for medical advice were identified as leading factors in the skyrocketing numbers of deaths of newborns and mothers in the municipality.

Madam Titiati said her outfit and the Rotary Club had designed a programme to educate the populace through medical outreaches and pregnancy schools, where the focus will be on pregnant women and lactating mothers.

“I am happy that Rotary has come to help us deal with some of the issues”, she said.

She underscored the need for health facilities to be equipped to enhance services to clients, indicating “there is enough infrastructure, all we need now are the equipment to work with”.

She said about 70% of pregnant women access antenatal services before delivery, a phenomenon she described as encouraging.

Madam Titiati hopes the Maternal Health Project would contribute to an increase in access to antenatal care and a reduction in maternal mortality.

The President of the Rotary Club of Ho, Alphonse Makafui Dzakpasu, underscored the continuing call for quality healthcare delivery in the region and promised the commitment of his outfit.

He disclosed that as part of the Maternal and Child Health Project, Rotary Club of Ho would lead a campaign to raise GH₵200,000 to provide a facelift to the dilapidated Kpando Health Centre.