Over 6,000 Births a Year: Ashaiman PM, MCE move to Ease Pressure on Maternal Health Facilities with New Maternity Block

By Naillatu Iddrisu

Ashaiman records more than 6,000 births annually, a situation health authorities say is exerting severe pressure on the municipality’s already overstretched healthcare facilities.

According to statistics from the Ashaiman Municipal Health Directorate, the Ashaiman Health Centre—the municipality’s main government hospital—handles about 47 per cent of all deliveries, while the Community 22 Polyclinic accounts for 11 per cent. Health officials say the figures highlight the growing strain on maternal health infrastructure and personnel.

The challenge came into sharp focus when the Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, Hon. Ernest Norgbey, together with the Ashaiman Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Freeman Tsekpor, cut the sod for the construction of a three-storey maternity block at the Community 22 Polyclinic. The project is intended to strengthen maternal healthcare delivery and reduce pressure on existing facilities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Norgbey said the project forms part of his commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and ensuring better access to quality maternal services for residents. He disclosed that the maternity block is expected to be completed within 12 months and will provide a modern and more conducive environment for expectant mothers and health professionals.

The Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Freeman Tsekpor, said government has released funds from the District Assemblies Common Fund to facilitate the timely completion of the project. He added that the Assembly has lined up several other infrastructure projects aimed at improving service delivery across the municipality.

He assured residents of the government’s commitment to transforming Ashaiman into a modern city with quality infrastructure, noting that the Assembly would closely monitor the project to ensure the contractor completes the work on schedule.

The Ashaiman Municipal Health Director, Dr. Sophia Quist, expressed appreciation to government and all stakeholders for the intervention. She noted that the new maternity block would significantly boost maternal and child health services in the municipality, which continues to face numerous healthcare delivery challenges.