Dr Tmothy Letsa, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of Health, observed on Tuesday that maternal deaths remain a daunting challenge in the Region, though the directorate recorded a slight decrease of cases in 2016.

He said figures compiled from the various health facilities showed that the 88 recorded cases of maternal deaths in 2015 reduced to 77 cases in 2016.

Addressing the opening session of the annual performance review meeting of the Directorate in Sunyani, Dr Letsa mentioned haemorrhage (excessive bleeding), hypertension and unsafe abortion as the major causes of the deaths.

Presided by Professor Ahmed Adu-Oppong, the Director of the Kintampo College of Health and Wellbeing, the two-day review meeting was on the theme “Improving under- five outcomes through effective leadership".

Dr Letsa assured that the directorate was poised to ensure that no woman died through pregnancy-related conditions this year, but added that such achievement could be made if pregnant women attended regular antenatal and postnatal clinics.

He disclosed that under-five mortality due to malaria, also saw a slight reduction within the year under review, indicating that infant deaths reduced from 10 percent in 2015 to six percent in last year.

Dr Letsa said there was also significant achievement made in the control of HIV/AIDS, saying with hard work from health workers, HIV/AIDS figures reduced from 2.6 percent in 2014 to 1.7 percent in 2015 - according to the HIV sentinel survey.

He emphasised that more work was expected from the health professionals and workers if the directorate would be able to achieve set targets for the year and urged them to adhere to high ethical standards in the course of their duties.

Mr Felix Chaahaah, the Brong Ahafo Regional Coordinating Director, observed that the Health Service was an important sector if the country sustained her quality human resource base needed to facilitate accelerated national development.

He admitted that the sector was confronted with several challenges including the unsatisfactory welfare and conditions of service of health workers but added that the government would create a conducive environment for them to perform their duties desirably.

Mr Chaahaah indicated that the regional coordinating council was inspired by the selfless services being rendered by health workers in the Region and assured that it would also provide the necessary support and motivation for them to improve on quality healthcare delivery.

He entreated the health workers and professionals to promote the work and open up opportunities and avenues for junior staff to contribute towards decision making especially during meetings.

Prof Adu-Oppong lauded the directorate for efforts being made to improve on healthcare delivery and called for an effective collaboration among health service providers in the fight against diseases in the Region.

The regional directorate awarded individual staff, philanthropists as well as some district directorate of health for their tremendous contributions towards healthcare delivery in the Region.