The Ghana Health Service says lack of ambulances is one of the main factors contributing to maternal deaths in Upper East Region. This year alone, 19 pregnant women have died in the region as against 17 last year.
The Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Winfred Ofosu said lack of ambulances and other logistics tend to delay referral cases to facilities for prompt attention, thereby increasing maternal deaths and under-five mortality.
He said this at the 2019 Mid-Year Performance Review Meeting in Bolgatanga.
Achieving Universal Health Coverage will need improved referral systems and institutional capacity at the health centers, district and regional hospitals.
Sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme is also key to quality Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
The review meeting focused on the “The Role of Quality Data in achieving Universal Health Coverage in Upper East Region”.
The Regional Director of Ghana Health Services, Dr. Winfred Ofosu, said without quality data it will be difficult to determine the performance of the performance of the Service.
The Assistant Director, the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, Andrews Akumbutum, said bringing quality healthcare to the doorsteps of the people is a major focus of the government.
The meeting brought together Municipal and District Directors of the Ghana Health Services and representatives of KOICA, JICA and UNICEF.
