Health Systems Innovation Project Launched In Kumasi To Tackle Maternal Mortality.

In a significant stride towards enhancing healthcare in the Ashanti Region, the Health Systems Innovation Project was officially launched on November 29, 2023, in Kumasi, the regional capital.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate, is set to revolutionize health systems, particularly in the realm of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health, and Nutrition (RMNCHA&N) services.

Generously funded by UNICEF and supported by Global Affairs Canada, the project aims to implement innovative approaches that ensure high-performing, efficient, and sustainable health systems.

Dr. Rita Larsen Reindorf, Deputy Director of Health in charge of Clinical Care, highlighted the substantial support from UNICEF and Global Affairs Canada as she asserted the initial beneficiaries of the project.

“The focus initially centers on 5 districts, that is Kwabre East, Ahafo Ano North, Obuasi, Bosome Freho and Effiduase within the Ashanti Region, gradually expanding to encompass 20 districts,” she said.

Dr. Reindorf emphasized that this collaborative effort seeks to elevate the quality of healthcare delivery, addressing crucial aspects such as nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene with a specific goal of reducing maternal mortality.

The Deputy Director expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from UNICEF and Global Affairs Canada, emphasizing the potential of the project to significantly reduce maternal deaths in the region.

The UNICEF representative, Dr. Felix Owusu Sarpong, underscored the project’s concentration on the Ashanti Region, home to the second-highest population in the country.

He detailed the strategic approach, which involves capacity-building for health staff, the establishment of an oxygen treatment center, and the provision of laboratory equipment for various health facilities.

“This meticulous approach reflects UNICEF’s commitment to bolstering the healthcare infrastructure in the Ashanti Region.

“We will continue ensure a targeted and comprehensive enhancement of medical capabilities to serve the region’s substantial population,” he added.

Dragica Stanivuk, the Global Affairs Canada representative, reaffirmed the commitment to improving the health of women and children in Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti Region.

She highlighted the organization’s focus on contributing to lifesaving services and identified the Health Systems Innovation Project as a top international development priority.

“The multifaceted project will address vulnerabilities faced by mothers and children, delivering interventions in both developmental and emergency contexts,” she said.

With a resolute commitment from UNICEF and Global Affairs Canada, the Health Systems Innovation Project stands as a beacon of hope for improved healthcare, aiming to make a lasting impact on the lives of the people in the Ashanti Region, especially women and children.