Wa Municipal Hospital Records Zero Maternal Deaths in First Half of 2025

For the first time in more than ten years, Wa Municipal Hospital has reported zero maternal deaths in the first half of 2025. The announcement was made at the hospital’s Mid-Year Performance Review Meeting, held under the theme “Driving Excellence in Maternal and Child Health for the Rest of the Year.”

The review brought together key stakeholders, including the Municipal Chief Executive, the Municipal Director of Health Services, security agencies, traditional leaders, managers of the National Health Insurance Scheme, hospital staff, and other partners.

Delivering his opening remarks, Medical Superintendent Dr. (Med) Bukari Zakari, an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Specialist, praised the hospital’s progress in the face of persistent challenges. He disclosed that the facility successfully handled 1,554 safe deliveries without a single maternal death during the review period.

“This outcome is the result of the collective commitment of all staff, especially the Obstetrics and Gynaecology team, medical officers, midwives, theatre, laboratory, and pharmacy teams, as well as timely referrals from peripheral facilities,” Dr. Bukari said. He credited the achievement to the strict implementation of maternal mortality audit recommendations.

The hospital also recorded a rise in antenatal clinic (ANC) attendance, from 1,985 in 2024 to 2,370 in 2025. However, Dr. Bukari expressed concern that many pregnant women still register late in their second or third trimesters, putting themselves and their babies at risk. Outpatient attendance also increased, from 41,292 in 2024 to 45,077 in 2025, which he attributed to improved quality of care.

Another notable development was the removal of malaria from the top ten causes of outpatient visits, a shift Dr. Bukari linked to stronger preventive and public health interventions in the municipality.

Despite the successes, the hospital faces ongoing challenges. These include inadequate infrastructure, shortages of specialist staff, legacy debt, and frequent power outages that disrupt services.

Municipal Director of Health Services, Dr. Bapula Alex, who chaired the meeting, congratulated the hospital for the landmark achievement and urged staff to maintain the momentum. The Municipal Chief Executive also commended the hospital’s dedication and pledged to support efforts in addressing the pressing challenges.

As part of the meeting, dignitaries toured ongoing projects funded through Internally Generated Funds (IGF). These include a renovated surgical ward now serving as a Pediatric Ward and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and the refurbishment of the hospital mortuary.

Source: Asaase Radio

Dr. Bukari reminded participants that Wa Municipal Hospital, an over-aged facility still burdened by debts from its former status as a regional hospital, remains financially constrained. He appealed to civil society organizations, NGOs, and development partners to support the hospital in upgrading its physical infrastructure and replacing obsolete equipment to sustain quality healthcare delivery.

This milestone, he stressed, shows what is possible when staff commitment, evidence-based practices, and community support come together — and it sets the bar for the rest of the year.