One hundred and twenty two institutional maternal deaths were recorded in the Eastern Region in 2013. The figure is an increase from 116 maternal deaths recorded in 2012.

This was disclosed by the deputy eastern regional director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Asare Bediako Micah during the 2013 annual performance review meeting of the Eastern Akim municipal health directorate held on Wednesday.

According to Mr. Bediako, the situation is worrying, especially, at a time when the regional health directorate has put in measures such as establishment of Community Health Improvement Services (CHIPS) compounds, capacity building for midwives and intensification of material health education put in place to reduce maternal deaths drastically in the region.

He however, said inadequate training of midwives, poor road networks, lack of funds and late antenatal attendant still remains a challenge to the fight against maternal mortality.

He therefore, appealed to stakeholders to play their expected roles to curb the menace.

Dr. Ekow Kaitoo, the municipal director of the GHS in his presentation said though the municipality recorded four maternal deaths in 2013 which is less than nine recorded in 2012, the situation is regrettable as the directorate targeted zero maternal deaths in the year under review.

He assured that more efforts will be committed to ensure the zero maternal deaths in 2014. He said the illegal mining activities have led to increase in teenage pregnancy, adding that 409 abortion cases were recorded in the year under review.

Dr. Kainoo said malaria still remains the highest cause of morbidities recorded in health facilities in the municipality. He explained that 66,542 cases were recorded in 2013 as compared to 70,071 cases recorded in 2012, a decrease by 5%.

He said out of the 1,676 patients tested for HIV in 2013, 326 were tested positive which is 7% increase over that of 2012. He said there was no disease outbreak in the municipality during the year under review.

Dr. Kaitoo noted that the municipal health directorate is currently zoning into 35 CHIP compounds with 19 having functional compounds, while the remaining have no structures to serve as compounds, but health officers are still assigned to provide services in those communities.

According to Dr. Kaintoo, during the year under review, health care was provided under a lot challenges in including inadequate funds from the central government to support health care delivery, lack of doctors and midwives, lack of vehicles and inadequate staff accommodation.

The Municipal Chief Executive for East Akyem, Simon Peter Asirifi in his address said government is committed to ensure better health care for all Ghanaians, hence, putting measures in place to address challenges facing the health sector in the country.

Hea said the municipal assembly will soon complete the CHIP compound at Sokode Dwaso to help improve the health of the people in the community.