The Western North Regional Minister, Wilbert Petty Brentum, has commended the Western North Regional Health Directorate for intensifying efforts to report and highlight maternal deaths in the region.
The Regional Health Directorate, during its 2026 Mid-Year Performance Review, disclosed that 16 maternal deaths were recorded between January and July 2026, a development that has raised serious concerns among health authorities and stakeholders in the region.
Mr. Brentum expressed dissatisfaction with the number of maternal deaths recorded but commended the Health Directorate for openly presenting the data to stakeholders to enable them to understand the situation and work together to find lasting solutions.
According to the Regional Minister, although the figures are unfortunate, bringing the data to the attention of the public and key stakeholders is an important step towards addressing the problem.
He said the situation requires urgent collective action to create awareness and prevent further loss of mothers and their babies.
Mr. Brentum noted that some of the identified challenges include delays in pregnant women seeking or reaching health facilities, haemorrhage and other pregnancy-related complications.
He therefore called on traditional leaders, religious leaders, community members, civil society organisations and the media to join the campaign to reduce maternal deaths in the region.
“Health should be a concern for everyone, not only health professionals,” he stressed, urging religious organisations to intensify education in churches and communities and the media to amplify the message on maternal and child health.
The Regional Minister further encouraged stakeholders to use community durbars and other public platforms to educate pregnant women and their families on the importance of seeking timely medical attention.
He said the time had come for all stakeholders to act collectively to save the lives of mothers and children across the Western North Region.
