Dr Emmanuel Atsu Dodor, the Volta Regional Director of Health Service, has disclosed that Volta maintained its status as a high-performing region during a recent holistic assessment conducted.
Speaking on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Annual Regional Health Sector Performance Review Conference in Ho, Dr Dordor he noted that several key indicators recorded impressive improvements.
These included post-natal care within 48 hours, which improved from 93.4 percent to 99.3 percent, exceeding the national target of 90 percent.
Also, outpatient attendance per capita increased from 1.18 to 1.23, surpassing the national target of 1.20; the institutional maternal mortality ratio reduced from 104 per 100,000 live births in 2024 to 93 per 100,000 in 2025, performing better than the national target of 125 while institutional neonatal mortality rate reduced from 5.8 to 5.4 per 100,000 live births, better than the national target of seven.
Dr Dodor said Vitamin A supplementation coverage also improved from 55.2 to 97.0 percent, exceeding the national target of 80 per cent. First-trimester antenatal registration increased from 55.6 to 57.4 percent, with functionality of emergency departments improving from 75 percent in 2024 to 100 percent in 2025, meeting the national target.
He added: “Antiretroviral therapy coverage increased from 61.9 percent to 97.5 percent, exceeding the national target of 95 percent; mother-to-child HIV transmission reduced from 2.1 percent to 1.4 percent, remaining well below the national target of 5 percent and, TB preventive therapy coverage remained strong at 95 percent, exceeding the national target of 30 percent.”
Dr Dodor deemed these achievements as truly commendable, reflecting the dedication, professionalism and commitment of the health workforce across the region.
The Health Director said despite their successes, there existed challenges that needed to be confronted with honesty and determination, saying “some indicators did not perform as expected.”
“Children receiving long-lasting insecticide nets during Measles-Rubella second dose declined from 88.3 percent to 64.9, below the target of 90 percent; Penta 3 coverage declined from 77.9 to 74.1; Measles-Rubella second dose coverage declined from 73.1 percent to 70.7 percent; and institutional all-cause mortality increased slightly from 30.3 to 30.4, remaining above the target of 18,” he said.
The region also recorded a decline in nurse geographical equity index, Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound functionality, and in wellness clinic attendance, while the average length of stay at emergency departments increased.
Dr Dodor, who expressed dissatisfaction with these outcomes, said they required attention, mentioned some challenges, including staff shortages, inadequate transport facilities, inadequate and poor state of infrastructure in most facilities and inadequate funds for public health activities.
He indicated that the Regional Health Directorate had implemented several measures to address the gaps and urged participants in the two-day conference to actively contribute to the discussions to help identify strategies to improve performance for the 2026 year.
Dr Dodor expressed gratitude to all stakeholders and partners supporting healthcare delivery in the region, with special mentions of Korea Foundation International Healthcare (KOFIH) for fully funding the construction of an Orthotics and Prosthetics Facility at Ho Polyclinic; Mr Felix Akakpo, best known as Akonta, for single-handedly commencing the construction of an office complex for Ketu South Municipal Health Directorate; and the Akpokope community in the Agotime-Ziope District for mobilising resources to construct a laboratory block facility for Akpokope CHPS.
Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, in a speech read on his behalf, commended the Health Directorate for the outstanding performance and assured the gathering of the government’s unwavering commitment to improving healthcare in the region and across the country.
