The Bekwai Municipal Hospital in the Ashanti Region is recording an alarming rise in preterm births, with more than 70 cases reported every month, representing 23.4% of all deliveries at the facility.
Dr. Frank Serebuor, a Paediatrician and the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, described the situation as a growing public health concern, adding that preterm births continue to reflect wider health disparities and barriers to quality maternal care in Ghana.
According to him, several factors contribute to the high rate of premature deliveries, including teenage pregnancy, closely spaced pregnancies, urinary tract infections during pregnancy, alcohol and drug abuse, and inadequate antenatal care.
Dr. Serebuor stressed that improving the survival of preterm babies requires collective effort.
“Let us change the face of prematurity through our understanding, sharing of knowledge, and working together,”
— Dr. Frank Serebuor
Dr. Anna Amankwah, a Resident Paediatrician at the facility, urged women to seek medical care both before conception and throughout pregnancy, noting that early and consistent healthcare is crucial in preventing preterm births.
“Accessing healthcare before and during pregnancy is vital to preventing preterm deliveries,”
— Dr. Anna Amankwah
Health experts say premature births remain a major global health challenge, imposing emotional, physical, and financial burdens on families, healthcare systems, and national economies.
Reported By Obofo Michael
