Maternal health in Ghana stands at a critical crossroads. Despite years of policy interventions and the promise of universal health coverage under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the reality for many women remains fraught with financial barriers, dwindling donor support, and systemic challenges that threaten lives. The story of Ghana’s maternal health journey is one of progress shadowed by persistent inequities, where the promise of free care collides with the harsh reality of out of pocket expenses and fragile funding streams.
At a recent Policy Dialogue organized by Law and Development Associates (LADA) to mark World Health Day, experts painted a sobering picture of the state of maternal and neonatal care. The dialogue revealed that Ghanaian households still bear approximately 35% of total healthcare costs, a figure described as “an alarming statistic that undermines universal health coverage efforts.” This burden is not just a number—it represents mothers forced to choose between seeking care and protecting their families from financial ruin. It represents newborns whose survival may hinge on whether their parents can afford the costs that should have been covered under national policy.
The Free Maternal Health Care Policy (FMHCP), introduced in 2008 under the NHIS, was meant to be a turning point. Yet maternal and newborn deaths continue to rise, exposing the gaps between policy and practice. Dr. Becky Boakye Yiadom, Quality Assurance Manager at the NHIA in the Central Region, emphasized that out-of-pocket payments remain “a major contributor to maternal mortality.” Her words carried urgency: “We must intensify communication to ensure that women know what they’re entitled to under the NHIS. Many maternal deaths are preventable if the financial burden is lifted.” This statement reflects both the tragedy of preventable deaths and the hope that better awareness and enforcement of entitlements could save lives.
The dialogue also highlighted the impact of shrinking international support. Dr. Catherine Attoh, Technical Officer for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health at WHO Ghana, raised concerns about funding cuts from USAID. She warned, “Now, more than ever, we need strong partnerships to sustain maternal health services, especially with reduced donor support.”
Her call for collaboration between government, civil society, the private sector, and development partners reflects the reality that maternal health cannot be safeguarded by one actor alone. It requires a united front, a coalition of voices and resources, to ensure that gains made over the past decades are not eroded.
The financial strain is compounded by shortages of qualified health professionals, leaving many facilities unable to provide adequate care. In rural areas, where maternal mortality rates are often highest, women face long distances to reach health centers, only to encounter understaffed facilities or unexpected costs. These systemic gaps reveal the fragility of Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure and the urgent need for investment not only in financing but also in human resources.
Dr. Manuel Abajobir, Associate Research Scientist at the African Population and Health Research Centre, offered a pragmatic perspective on solutions. He argued that “investing in MHCR initiatives and making data more accessible can significantly improve outcomes. These are proven tools for driving accountability and change.” His emphasis on transparent data systems points to a deeper issue: without reliable information, it is impossible to measure progress, identify failures, or hold institutions accountable. Data is not just numbers—it is the foundation for trust, policy, and reform.
The broader challenge lies in bridging the financing gap while strengthening healthcare systems to ensure equitable access. Ghana’s journey toward Universal Health Coverage is not merely about expanding insurance schemes; it is about ensuring that the promise of care translates into lived reality for mothers and children. The dialogue made clear that maternal health is not a peripheral issue—it is central to the nation’s development, its social fabric, and its future.
The human dimension of this crisis cannot be ignored. Behind every statistic is a mother who faced complications without adequate support, a family that struggled to pay for care, a newborn whose life was cut short. The persistence of maternal mortality despite policies designed to eliminate financial barriers reveals a painful truth: progress is fragile, and without sustained commitment, it can unravel quickly.
The words of Dr. Boakye Yiadom resonate deeply in this context: “Many maternal deaths are preventable if the financial burden is lifted.” Preventable deaths are the most tragic of all, because they represent failures not of medicine but of systems, policies, and priorities.
The call for unified action is not just rhetoric. It is a demand for accountability, for political will, and for solidarity across sectors. Ghana’s maternal health dilemma is emblematic of the broader struggle for universal health coverage in low and middle income countries, where donor dependency, financial inequities, and systemic weaknesses collide. The dialogue convened by LADA was a reminder that maternal health is a shared responsibility, one that requires vigilance, innovation, and unwavering commitment.
As Ghana strives to protect mothers and newborns, the path forward must be clear: bridge the financing gap, strengthen healthcare systems, and ensure that entitlements under the NHIS are not just promises on paper but realities in clinics and hospitals. The stakes are high, because maternal health is not just about survival—it is about dignity, equity, and the right to life. The voices of experts like Dr. Attoh, Dr. Boakye Yiadom, and Dr. Abajobir echo a common truth: without collective action, the fragile lifeline of maternal health in Ghana may fray beyond repair. But with unity, investment, and accountability, it can be strengthened into a resilient foundation for generations to come.
