Maternal and neonatal deaths at the Eastern Regional Hospital, ERHK have been decreased by 50% and 10.7% respectively.
The hospital performed 5,262 in 2021 as compared to 5,157 in 2020. Out of the deliveries, the Cesarean section was 2,300 in 2021 while 2,130 performed in 2020.
33 Maternal deaths were recorded in 2021 compared to 59 cases recorded in 2020. Most of the cases were referred patients in critical conditions.
In terms of preterm babies, in 2019, 70 babies were admitted to the NICU but 61 representing 85% could not survive.
In 2020, 44 babies out of 64 admitted to the unit representing 68.8% died.
However, in 2021 the death rate decreased. 34 preterm babies out of 63 on admission died representing 46% with a survival percentage of 10%.
The Medical Director Dr. Arko Akoto Ampaw told the media that, management is hopeful the gains made in reducing Neonatal deaths among preterm babies will improve following donation of two incubators by Kokrokoo Foundation, renovation, and expansion of NICU unit by Kabaka Foundation, creation of a new NICU complex made up of children’s emergency unit, mother hostel, and creation of pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
The Eastern Regional Hospital is a referral facility in the region .Out patients Department Attendance (OPD) rose from 232,485 in 2020 to 264,640 in 2021 representing 13.8% increase. Admissions rose from 21,396 in 2020 to 24,713 in 2021.
The hospital however recorded 1,694 deaths in 2021 compared to 1,808 in 2020 representing a 6.7% decline.
The Medical Director of the Eastern Regional Hospital Dr. Arkoh Akoto Ampaw said stroke, diabetes, hypertension are the top causes of death at the facility
The Medical Director of the Eastern Regional Hospital Dr. Arko Akoto Ampaw explained that “the top causes of mortalities remain lifestyle diseases so the stroke, diabetes, hypertension are still very high on the agenda and then also a few communicable diseases like HIV still featured in there”.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
