The West Gonja Municipal Health Directorate (WGMHD) held its annual performance review meeting on February 13, 2025, at the Damongo Assembly conference hall to assess its 2024 service delivery, achievements, challenges, and future strategies.
Municipal Health Director, Mr. Kenneth N. Kpankpari, highlighted key performance indicators, noting significant progress in maternal health.
Maternal mortality was reduced to zero in 2024, down from 145 per 100,000 live births in 2023. Outpatient department (OPD) attendance increased from 55,182 in 2023 to 62,212 in 2024, while malaria testing coverage remained steady at 99.9% over the past two years.
Among the successes recorded, health staff benefited from various capacity-building programs supported by USAID, CID, and other partners.
Additionally, the directorate managed to fund minor renovations on staff accommodations, though more support is needed for full completion.
Despite these achievements, the municipality faced setbacks in key health indicators.
The family planning acceptor rate dropped from 25% in 2023 to 18.4% in 2024, while the percentage of pregnant women receiving IPT3 (intermittent preventive treatment for malaria) declined from 60% to 47%. Additionally, underweight prevalence among children aged 0-59 months increased from 1.1% to 5.5% over the same period.
Challenges hampering health service delivery included a shortage of motorbikes, inadequate staff accommodation, a lack of potable water at most facilities, and insufficient basic medical equipment.
Mr. Kpankpari commended health staff for their dedication and acknowledged the support of partners.
He also appealed for increased assistance to address resource gaps and improve healthcare delivery in the municipality.
SOURCE: Takora Gladys
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