The Wassa East District Health Directorate has held its 2025 Annual Performance Review meeting, celebrating significant improvements in maternal and child health, most notably achieving zero maternal deaths, even as it confronts emerging challenges like a rise in teenage pregnancies.
Held under the theme, “Quality and People-Centered Primary Health Care,” the forum brought together stakeholders, including traditional authorities, health professionals, and development partners, to assess the district’s health performance over the past year.
In what was an emotional address, the outgoing District Director of Health Services, Mr. Emmanuel Affelkum, who is set to retire in April 2026, presented the scorecard. He highlighted a monumental achievement in maternal health.
“We reduced maternal mortality from one death in 2024 to zero in 2025,” Mr. Affelkum announced to a rousing applause from the gathering. “This achievement is monumental. It reflects improved referral systems, skilled management of complications, and the commitment of frontline staff.”
The 2025 report card showed notable improvements across several key indicators. Antenatal care coverage jumped from 67.8% in 2024 to 75.5%, while the stillbirth rate saw a dramatic decline from 5.8% to just 0.2%. Coverage for the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV also improved, reaching an impressive 99.4%.
“These achievements are not just statistics,” Mr. Affelkum emphasized. “They represent lives saved, families protected, and communities strengthened.”
The director also noted an increase in OPD per capita from 1.0 to 1.1, indicating improved access to healthcare and positive health-seeking behaviour among residents.
However, the review was not without its moments of sober reflection. Mr. Afielkum pointed to worrying trends in adolescent health. Teenage pregnancy cases rose from 197 in 2024 to 231 in 2025, while the family planning acceptor rate regrettably dropped from 47.8% to 45.7%. Perhaps most alarmingly, the directorate revealed that a staggering 51% of all abortion cases recorded were among teenagers aged 11 to 19 years.
“These issues require intensified health education, youth-focused interventions, stakeholder collaboration, and community ownership,” the director stated, calling for a multisectoral approach to tackle the problem.
The District Chief Executive, Hon. Alhassan Ibrahim, who served as the Guest of Honour, praised the health workers for their selfless commitment, particularly in the face of challenges like staff shortages and logistical constraints.
“I commend each one of you for your dedication, which has brought us these remarkable results, especially the zero maternal death record,” Hon. Ibrahim said. He assured the health directorate of the assembly’s unwavering commitment to providing the needed resources to further improve healthcare delivery in the district.
A key highlight of the event was the recognition of outstanding staff and facilities whose dedication has been the backbone of the district’s success.
The Akyempim Model Health Centre was adjudged the Best Facility Award for its overall performance and contribution to healthcare delivery.
Other individual awardees who were celebrated for their excellence included:
· Best District Health Staff Award: Mr. Patrick Larry Mensah, a physician assistant at Akyempim Health Centre, recognized for his exemplary leadership and dedication to patient care.
· Best Rural Service Award: Ms. Theresah Amoah, a Senior Midwifery Officer, honoured for her compassion and commitment to providing maternal and community health services in underserved areas.
· Long Service Award: Mr. Ebenezer Hayfron, a Superintendent Community Nurse, was celebrated for his 22 years of loyalty and mentorship in the district.
· Most Promising Staff Award: Mr. Samuel Donkor, a Community Health Nurse at Akyempim Health Centre, was acknowledged for his exceptional passion, discipline, and innovative approach to healthcare.
Looking ahead, Mr. Affelkum urged stakeholders to build on the gains made. He outlined the way forward, which includes operationalizing three completed but non-functional CHPS compounds, prioritizing the recruitment of critical staff, and strengthening adolescent reproductive health programmes.
“I am proud of what we have built together,” the outgoing director reflected. “Though I may retire from active service, I will always remain an advocate for quality, people-centered health care in this district.”
By Editorial Team
