Maternal health is not just about childbirth – Dr. Kuma-Aboagye

Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General (DG) of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), says maternal health is not just about delivering a baby; the total well-being of the mother before, during, and after childbirth is key.

“To achieve this, we need a multi-faceted approach that includes skilled care, access to essential services, and a supportive environment for both mother and child,” he said.

Dr. Kuma-Aboagye was speaking at the 2024 mid-year performance review meeting of the GHS in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region, on the theme: “Using Network of Practice to Drive Universal Access to Quality Maternal Healthcare in the Upper East Region.”

The meeting brought together District and Municipal Directors of the GHS, senior management members, Medical Superintendents across the region, development partners, and stakeholders to take stock of their performances and strategies to improve healthcare delivery.

He said healthcare professionals could leverage the Network of Practice (NoP) to drive universal access to quality maternal healthcare in several ways, including knowledge sharing, where networks could facilitate the continuous exchange of knowledge and skills among healthcare professionals.

“By bringing together professionals from various backgrounds, NoPs create a fertile ground for innovative solutions to emerge.

"This is crucial in keeping our workforce updated with the latest maternal healthcare practices and innovations, thereby improving the quality of care provided.

“If a particular approach to reducing maternal mortality is working well in one district, the Network of Practice can ensure it is rapidly adopted across all districts within the region and in other regions as well. This means that no one is left behind as we forge ahead,” the DG said.

He told the staff of the Service that as they aimed to achieve universal access to quality maternal healthcare, they must recognize that no single entity could do it alone. “The complex challenges we face require collective action, shared knowledge, and continuous innovation.”

Dr. Kuma-Aboagye said a NoP offered them a powerful means to bring together the best practices and resources, ensuring that every woman in Ghana had access to the care she deserved.

Dr. Samuel Kwabena Boakye-Boateng, the Regional Director of the GHS, in his address, recognized the significant role a functional NoP could play in ensuring the region experienced enhanced and sustained health systems across all service delivery levels, towards the attainment of universal access to healthcare of the highest quality.

He explained that the focus on maternal health was largely due to the vital role it played in ensuring that the health and well-being of both mother and child were prioritized.

Alhaji Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper East Regional Minister, said although maternal healthcare undoubtedly remained the foundation of the national health agenda and the collective vision for a healthier and more equitable society, too many women continued to face barriers that prevented them from accessing timely and quality maternal care.

He said the call for a network of practice was critical in dealing with the dynamic challenges of universal access and quality maternal healthcare, as it allowed for a collaborative framework between health facilities and professionals within a defined geographical area to provide comprehensive health services by managing and sharing knowledge, skills, resources, and best practices.

He recognized the support of development partners and all other stakeholders for their invaluable contributions towards improving healthcare delivery in the region.