The Tano South Municipal Health Directorate held its 2025 Annual Performance Review Meeting, themed “Strengthening Primary Health Care through Strategic Partnerships for Improved Health Outcomes”. The event, which was held at the Municipal Assembly Conference hall, was attended by dignitaries including the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Emmanuel Kwame Frimpong, the Health Director, Dr. Joel Duah Afi, the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr. Abdul Rahman Salam, Nananom, some security personnel, heads of department and health staff.
In a welcome address the Municipal Health Director, Dr. Joel Duah Afi commended the Honorable Member of Parliament and the Municipal Chief Executive for their support, and acknowledged the dedication of health workers. Under the year review, he highlighted the key achievements, which included 77.8% ANC coverage, 67.5% skilled delivery, 98.8% postnatal care, and zero maternal mortality. OPD attendance increased to 144,803, with TB cases detected rising to 77 out of 89 targets. HIV-positive pregnant women on ARV treatment reached 100%.
Despite the enormous achievements, Dr. Duah Afi noted some challenges that hinder their performance, citing financial constraints, logistics issues, infrastructure deficits, and gaps in human resources, among others.
Municipal Health Director, Dr. Joel Duah Afi giving his welcome address
Looking ahead to 2026, Dr. Duah Afi outlined plans to increase ANC coverage to 80%, boost supervised delivery to 70%, and reduce stillbirth rates to 5%. To achieve this, he indicated that much focus will be on strengthening primary healthcare, improving service delivery, and addressing emerging health issues, while enhancing community engagement, resource mobilization, and partnerships for improved health outcomes.
He launches a new health initiative focusing on non-communicable diseases and mental health.
Speaking at the event, the Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Emmanuel Kwame Frimpong, who represented the Member of Parliament for Tano South, urged health sector stakeholders to strive for excellence in healthcare delivery and emphasized the need for collective effort to position Tano South as a leader in health outcomes.
Tano South MCE Hon. Emmanuel Kwame Frimpong addressing participants
He reaffirmed his commitment to support the health directorate and pledge to provide motorbikes for outreach efforts and construct a new Outpatient Department (OPD) for Bechem Government Hospital by the assembly. The assembly will allocate 10% of its common fund to health initiatives; renovate health centers and new CHPS compounds planned for communities like Old Brosankro and Kofi Tam Krom.
Hon. Frimpong commended the health directorate and urged citizens to support the transformative agenda, aiming to create a resilient health system serving every individual effectively.