The Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate recorded 162 stillbirths in 2025, according to data presented at its annual health performance review.

Of the total, 97 were macerated stillbirths and 65 were fresh stillbirths. The figures contributed to a perinatal mortality rate of 45 deaths per 1,000 deliveries in the metropolis.

The Directorate’s Adolescent Reproductive Health Focal Person, Doris Ocansey, said perinatal mortality includes fresh and macerated stillbirths as well as early neonatal deaths, which occur within the first seven days of life.

She noted that although stillbirths have generally declined between 2022 and 2025, there was a slight increase this year. Macerated stillbirths have remained consistently high over the period.

Ms Ocansey expressed concern that high antenatal care attendance is not translating into better pregnancy outcomes. She said many pregnant women attended at least four antenatal visits, while others exceeded eight visits, surpassing programme targets.

According to her, macerated stillbirths, which occur when a foetus dies before labour begins, are often used as an indicator of the quality of antenatal care.

She questioned whether pregnant women are receiving the level of care needed to detect and manage complications early enough to prevent foetal deaths.

Health officials and stakeholders also raised concerns about early neonatal deaths and called for a review of delivery and post-delivery care services to identify gaps affecting newborn survival.

They explained that fresh stillbirths are often linked to undetected foetal distress and delays in clinical decisions during labour, while macerated stillbirths point to complications during pregnancy before labour begins.

Facility data showed that Tema General Hospital recorded 147 of the 162 stillbirths reported across the metropolis.

Stakeholders called for improved antenatal care, early detection of high-risk pregnancies, and timely referrals and treatment to help reduce preventable stillbirths and neonatal deaths.