Cape Coast Teaching Hospital Confronts High Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Rates
Cape Coast Teaching Hospital is facing significant challenges with high maternal and neonatal mortality rates, with current statistics showing 863 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 40 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births. The CEO, Dr. Eric Kofi Ngyedu, attributes these figures to complications and a lack of specialized care facilities. The hospital is seeking government support to enhance healthcare infrastructure and improve overall health services for mothers and infants.
Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, despite its efforts to enhance healthcare services, continues to face challenges with maternal and neonatal mortality rates that remain alarmingly high. As stated by Dr. Eric Kofi Ngyedu, the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, the maternal mortality ratio is currently at 863 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2024, indicating critical complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Additionally, the neonatal mortality rate sits at 40 deaths per 1,000 live births, highlighting concerns regarding infant survival in their early days.
Dr. Ngyedu expressed his disappointment at the ongoing struggle with these mortality rates, attributing the issues to complications related to pregnancy and neonatal sepsis. He emphasized the lack of a standardized neonatal intensive care unit as a major barrier to improving neonatal care, stating, “It will interest you to know that our facility does not have a standard Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to provide the needed quality health care to neonates.”
Furthermore, the hospital is contending with financial challenges, including high utility costs and issues related to staff compensation and infrastructure. The management is committed to improving quality healthcare services and enhancing key performance indicators, while exploring options such as establishing a provident fund for staff support.
Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health and representative at the annual performance review, commended the hospital for its advancements, particularly in clinical investigations and rehabilitation services. He reassured the audience of the government’s dedication to healthcare personnel’s welfare and the development of a comprehensive strategy to bolster hospital infrastructure and enhance health coverage.
Established as a tertiary healthcare facility, the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital has experienced substantial growth and is striving to become a leader in healthcare delivery and medical education in Ghana. It aims to not only offer quality patient-centered services but also to foster research and promote community health initiatives effectively.
Overall, the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital remains determined to address the pressing issues of maternal and neonatal mortality while continuing to provide quality health services, ensuring that both patients and staff benefit from enhanced healthcare capabilities in the region.
In summary, the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital grapples with critical challenges surrounding high maternal and neonatal mortality rates. Despite managing significant obstacles, such as a lack of specialized care facilities and financial constraints, the leadership is committed to implementing solutions to improve health outcomes. The ongoing support from the government and a focus on enhancing healthcare infrastructure are vital as the facility seeks to raise its standards in patient care and medical education.
Original Source: www.ghanabusinessnews.com
