Maternal mortality: Persistent challenge

Maternal mortality remains a critical issue in Ghana, posing significant challenges to the country’s healthcare system and socioeconomic development.

Despite progress in improving healthcare access and outcomes, Ghana continues to grapple with high maternal mortality rates, reflecting deep-seated issues in healthcare infrastructure, socio-cultural factors and economic disparities.

One of the primary reasons for Ghana’s high maternal mortality rate is limited access to quality healthcare services, especially in rural areas.

Many expectant mothers lack access to skilled birth attendants and essential maternal health services, leading to complications during pregnancy and childbirth that could otherwise be prevented or treated.

The inadequacy of healthcare facilities and resources in remote regions further exacerbates this disparity, leaving women at higher risk of maternal mortality.

Socio-cultural factors also play a significant role in Ghana’s maternal health challenges. Traditional beliefs and practices sometimes discourage women from seeking timely medical care or accessing family planning services.

Cultural norms that prioritise large families and early marriages can contribute to high fertility rates and unintended pregnancies, increasing the strain on maternal health services and exacerbating maternal mortality risks.

Moreover, economic factors such as poverty and limited education compound the challenges faced by pregnant women in Ghana. Poverty often restricts women’s access to nutritious food, prenatal care and transportation to healthcare facilities.

Lack of education about maternal health and family planning further limits women’s ability to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, leading to preventable maternal deaths.

Efforts to reduce maternal mortality in Ghana must focus on strengthening healthcare infrastructure, improving access to prenatal and emergency obstetric care, and addressing socio-cultural and economic barriers that prevent women from accessing essential services.

By investing in maternal health education, expanding healthcare coverage and promoting gender equality, Ghana can mitigate the factors contributing to maternal mortality and ensure safer pregnancies and childbirths for its women.

Afua Serwaa Abebrese,
Student, University of Health and Allied Sciences.
E-mail: abebreseafua@gmail.com