On 15/08/24 The Upper West Regional Health Sector Mid-Year Performance Review Meeting was held to take stock of activities during the first half of the year, identify performance gaps and chart a way forward for rest of the year. The theme for the review was “Reducing the burden of Perinatal Mortality in the UWR leveraging on the Networks of Practice Approach”.

The Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Damien Punguyire, opened the meeting and highlighted activities undertaken and achievements in 2024 to include the formation of a Regional Health Walk / Keep Fit Club to encourage physical exercises to help fight Non-Communicable Diseases; a Health Research Forum organized with stakeholders in attendance to share key operational research findings; Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention & COVID 19 Vaccination Campaigns successfully held among others.

Mention was also made about the region receiving 66 New Motorbikes and a Pick up Vehicle which were distributed to support service delivery in the districts.

On Key performance indicators, the Regional Director indicated improvements in Supervised delivery, slight reduction in Stillbirths while Maternal Mortality numbers increased from 9 in 2023 to 11 in 2024.

The review meeting extensively discussed strategies to reduce Perinatal Mortality in the region with a call for Partners to continue to support the Health Service with equipment, logistics and funding for capacity strengthening. Need to strengthen referrals management, ANC services and staff commitment to implementing Perinatal Audit Recommendations was emphasized.

The one-day meeting ended successfully with the Regional Director appreciating the hardwork and sacrifices of all Health Workers and Managers in the region in their effort to provide quality health services to the people of the region despite the numerous challenges they are confronted with.

All stakeholders were urged to come on board and support the GHS in the implementation of the Networks of Practice policy to strengthen the Sub-district system for improved health outcomes.

PR Unit:Upper West Regional Health Directorate. (0200747916)