COVID-19 in Ghana: challenges and countermeasures for maternal health service delivery in public health facilities

July 19, 2021

Agbozo, F., Jahn, A.

Reproductive Health

This study reviewed data from the District Health Management Information System (DHMIS) to look at trends related to maternity service usage in Ghana during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Although Ghana has done well in terms of controlling and responding to COVID-19, maternal health services has experienced a decline in service utilization. During January and May 2020, there was a decrease in the maternity service usage, antenatal care (ANC) attendance and registrations, and haemoglobin checks. There was also a decrease in these numbers when comparing May 2019 to May 2020. Maternal health indicators, including percentage of ANC coverage, percentage of skilled delivery, and total family planning visits, also declined from 2019 to 2020. With the expectation of a third wave of COVID-19 due to the delta variant, the authors stress the importance of using the DHMIS data to make decisions to prevent regressing the progress that has been made to maternal health.

Agbozo F, Jahn A. COVID-19 in Ghana: challenges and countermeasures for maternal health service delivery in public health facilities. Reprod Heal 2021 181 2021; 18: 1–5.

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