Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital reports first decline in maternal deaths in a decade

Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi has reported a 30% reduction in institutional maternal deaths during the first half of 2026. This marks the first decline in maternal mortality at the facility in ten years, occurring even as Ghana's national maternal death figures have reached near-decade highs.

In response to high maternal mortality rates, the Ministry of Health has launched an assessment under the Maternal Mortality Action and Response Programme (MMARP). The initiative aims to create a National Roadmap for Reducing Maternal Mortality by identifying gaps in service delivery, emergency obstetric care, and referral pathways.

Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, noted that the Ashanti Region currently records the highest number of maternal deaths in the country. Regional officials highlighted that the region faces a significant referral burden, with many high-risk cases being sent to KATH, necessitating the upgrading of sub-regional health facilities to improve access to emergency care.