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The Ashanti Region has taken a significant step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with the hosting of the Integrated 2024 Annual Performance Review and First Quarter Health System Innovations Review Meeting.
The event, which brought together stakeholders from various sectors, aimed to examine the region’s performance in the health sector and identify areas for improvement.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng, Regional Director of Health Service, emphasized the importance of strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) as the foundation for achieving UHC. He noted that the three-tier levels of PHC, namely community-based health planning services, health centers, and district hospitals, have the potential to address over 80% of the population’s health needs.
However, Dr. Adomako-Boateng highlighted the challenges facing the health sector, including inadequate infrastructure, insufficient staffing, and inequities in access to healthcare. He cited the Regional Medical Store, which was constructed in 1978, as an example of the need for upgraded infrastructure to support the delivery of quality healthcare.
The meeting also reviewed the region’s performance in various health indicators, including:
– Maternal Mortality Ratio: 105 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, increasing to 166 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2024.
– Family Planning Acceptor Rate: 22.5% in 2020, increasing to 32.6% in 2024.
– Proportion of Mothers Who Made at Least Four ANC Visits: 74% in 2020, increasing to 81.8% in 2024.
Dr. Adomako-Boateng emphasized the need for collective action to address these challenges and achieve the region’s health goals. He called on stakeholders to support the strengthening of PHC through networks of practice, improved infrastructure, and increased staffing.
The meeting concluded with a call to action, urging stakeholders to work together to achieve UHC and improve the health outcomes of the people in the Ashanti Region.
