Healthcare improvements target maternal and neonatal mortality in Ghana and Malawi

Health authorities in Ghana and Malawi are implementing measures to combat maternal and neonatal mortality. In Ghana’s Ashanti Region, the Health Directorate is introducing clinical mentorship and a virtual labour ward to address high maternal death rates. Data from 2025 indicates that 92 per cent of maternal deaths at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) involved patients referred from peripheral facilities, suggesting that the primary challenge lies in the quality of care at the initial point of referral rather than at the teaching hospital itself.

In Malawi, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation is pushing for a reduction in neonatal deaths at Mulanje District Hospital. Following the refurbishment of the hospital’s nursery ward by Nest360 Malawi and Africap LLC, officials have urged staff to reduce neonatal mortality from 13 per 1,000 births to a single-digit figure. The upgraded facility is designed to accommodate approximately 120 sick newborns monthly, aiming to provide quality local care and reduce the need for long-distance travel.