Health · Richard Boateng Opoku-Ofori
Eastern Region reviews health performance, calls for greater focus on preventive care
The Eastern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Moses Barima Djimatey, has called for increased attention to preventive healthcare following concerns over high mortality rates, declining immunisation coverage, rising HIV prevalence and increasing road traffic injuries in the region.
He made the call at the 2026 Half-Year Performance Review of the Eastern Regional Health Directorate held under the theme, "Free Primary Health Care: Investing in Prevention, Promotion and Wellness for Reducing Disease Burden."
The review brought together health officials and stakeholders to assess the performance of the health sector in the Eastern Region and discuss strategies to improve healthcare delivery. It also focused on the implementation of the Free Primary Healthcare Policy and the need to prioritise prevention, health promotion and wellness to reduce the burden of diseases.
Presenting the region's health performance, Dr. Barima disclosed that data from the Expanded Programme on Immunisation showed a decline in immunisation coverage between 2024 and 2026.
According to him, coverage for key childhood vaccines, including PENTA One, PENTA Three and Measles-Rubella, recorded downward trends during the period under review.
He further revealed that HIV prevalence in the Eastern Region increased from two-point one percent in 2021-to-three-point one percent in 2022, making the region the highest in the country.
Despite this development, he noted slight improvements in maternal and child health indicators as well as a reduction in malaria-related deaths.
Dr. Barima also expressed concern about the leading causes of death in the region, noting that stroke and heart disease continue to claim many lives.
“We need to focus more on health issues and not wait until they become emergencies before taking action," he stated. "Preventive healthcare and early health-seeking behaviour remain critical if we are to improve health outcomes and reduce avoidable deaths.”
Speaking on the Free Primary Healthcare Policy, the Ayensuano District Director of Health Services, Francis Kwotua Apungu, said the initiative is intended to help Ghana achieve Universal Health Coverage.
He explained that coverage currently stands at about fifty-six percent and government is targeting an increase to eighty percent through the policy. He added that six districts, Lower and Upper Manya Krobo, Afram Plains North and South, Fanteakwa North and Ayensuano, are currently benefiting from the pilot phase.
“The Free Primary Healthcare Policy has already started producing positive results in the beneficiary districts, and we are hopeful it will soon be expanded across the country,” Mr. Apungu said.
The Eastern Regional Minister’s Representative, Mrs. Adwoa Amofa, identified self-medication as a major cause of preventable deaths and called for intensified public education on its dangers.
“Self-medication remains one of the major causes of preventable deaths. We must continue to educate the public on the dangers associated with the practice and encourage people to seek professional medical care when they are unwell,” she said.
Mrs. Amofa stressed that disease prevention through education and early treatment remains key to improving health outcomes in the region.