Volta Region is last on health league table

The Volta Region has scored the lowest points on the national health league table.

Though the Region’s average score went up by a percentage to 54 per cent in 2016 as compared to 2015, it was ranked 10th–last, on the regional league table.

In a report, the Region was placed on the least range of the “Performance Gauge” (PG) scale, with its performance in the period under review described as “unsatisfactory,” placing 10th on the league table.

Across some 25 health indicators, the Region topped none and performed poorly in maternal health service delivery areas of antenatal and skilled delivery.

Its record in institutional mortality rate, infant and under five mortality rates were worst than the national target.

Teenage pregnancy was high at 15.2 per cent while only 44 per cent of HIV positive pregnant women received protection for the unborn babies against the disease.

Though the Region reported only 27 cholera cases and was marginally successful in reducing deaths among under fives treated for malaria, the overall picture was described as "unsatisfactory."

Upper East Region came first, followed by Upper West, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Eastern, Western, Greater Accra, Northern and Central regions, in that order.

Some senior health staff attributed the poor performance of the Region to "poor leadership".

One health officer bemoaned the Region’s poor scores in the latest ranking saying "It is from the leadership. It is as if the leaders do not care about the Region."