Cape Coast Teaching Hospital Faces High Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Rates
Cape Coast Teaching Hospital faces critical maternal and neonatal mortality rates, with 863 maternal deaths and 40 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births reported in 2024. Dr. Eric Kofi Ngyedu highlighted challenges including a lack of a NICU, financial burdens, and outdated equipment. Despite these issues, the hospital aims to enhance healthcare quality and secure staff support, while the government pledges to improve health infrastructure.
Cape Coast Teaching Hospital is currently facing significant challenges with high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality, despite its efforts to improve health care quality. In 2024, the maternal mortality ratio was reported at 863 deaths per 100,000 live births, illustrating the severe risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth complications. Additionally, the neonatal mortality rate stands at 40 deaths per 1,000 live births, indicating the vulnerable status of newborns within their critical first month.
Dr. Eric Kofi Ngyedu, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed his disappointment over these statistics during the facility’s annual performance review. He emphasized the need for systematic improvements in clinical care, resource allocation, and community engagement, while also addressing pivotal causes of maternal and neonatal deaths including complications during pregnancy and neonatal sepsis.
A major concern raised by Dr. Ngyedu is the absence of a standardized Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which hampers the hospital’s ability to provide specialized care for newborns. He noted that efforts to secure support from various organizations have been largely unresponsive, further complicating care management and outcomes for neonates.
Additional challenges the hospital faces include financial burdens from high utility costs, encroachments on hospital land, outdated medical equipment, and insufficient staff accommodations. Nonetheless, Dr. Ngyedu reiterated the hospital’s commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery and improving essential performance metrics, along with establishing a provident fund and a credit union for staff financial support.
The Minister of Health, through a representative, commended the hospital for its clinical advancements, especially in diagnostic areas like MRI and CT scanning. The government is dedicated to developing health personnel welfare and enacting a comprehensive strategy to improve infrastructure and innovations, ultimately aiming for universal health coverage.
The Cape Coast Teaching Hospital is a tertiary healthcare center that continues to evolve, having gained hospital status in 2015. Its mission is to provide high-quality, patient-centered care while promoting medical education, research, and community health initiatives. The goal is for it to become a leading healthcare delivery institution in Ghana, improving health outcomes for the population.
Cape Coast Teaching Hospital is actively working to address the high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality, emphasizing the need for enhanced clinical care and infrastructure improvements. However, persistent challenges, particularly the lack of a NICU and financial constraints, hinder progress. The hospital remains committed to advancing healthcare services and seeks greater support to improve health conditions in the region.
Original Source: www.ghanabusinessnews.com
