In recent years, Ghana has strengthened many measures crucial for the survival and development of newborns. Unfortunately, however, maternal and newborn mortality rates remain high. For this reason, UNICEF aims to improve the quality of health services for women and children in health facilities in disadvantaged regions.
The situation
For many children, even starting out in life is not without risk. Although Ghana has also made progress in improving maternal and child health, the mortality rate among its youngest children remains unacceptably high: with 27 out of every 1,000 newborns not surviving past the first month. Yet most of these deaths are preventable. About 75 percent of newborn deaths in Ghana occur during the first seven days after birth, and half of them within the first 24 hours. The situation is even more dramatic in the populous Ashanti region, where 52 out of every 1,000 newborns do not survive their first few weeks. Healthcare for pregnant women and women giving birth remains inadequate, especially in rural regions. And staff often lack the necessary knowledge, particularly when complications arise.
How UNICEF helps
UNICEF aims to improve the quality of maternal and neonatal care in Ghana by ensuring access to specialized health facilities that have the necessary equipment and qualified staff.
- Development and expansion of maternity and neonatal units in poorly developed regions
- Targeted training for healthcare staff in neonatal care
- Improved collection of data on infant and maternal mortality
