The Medical Superintendent of Bole District Hospital, Dr. Johnathan Wadeyir Abesig has presented the facility’s 2025 annual performance report, highlighting significant gains in service delivery despite a year marked by industrial actions and tribal conflicts.
Addressing staff, stakeholders and the media during the annual performance review meeting on February 18, 2026 at the facility, the Superintendent stated that the exercise was aimed at assessing progress made over the past year, identifying gaps and strengthening strategic planning for improved healthcare delivery.
He explained that the annual review enhances accountability and transparency, boosts staff morale, and promotes a culture of continuous quality improvement to ultimately improve patient outcomes.
According to the report, Out-Patient Department (OPD) attendance rose from 40,854 in 2024 to 43,440 in 2025, representing a 6.3 percent increase.Of the total attendance, 88 percent were insured under the National Health Insurance Scheme, while 12 percent were cash-paying clients.
The Superintendent noted that women accounted for 70 percent of OPD attendance, with men making up 30 percent, raising concerns about poor health-seeking behavior among men.Emergency cases also increased from 1,323 in 2024 to 1,489 in 2025. Despite the rise in cases, mortality reduced slightly from 134 deaths in 2024 to 130 deaths in 2025.
However, 62 percent of the recorded deaths were males.“This suggests that men often report to the hospital only when their conditions are critical,” the Superintendent observed.The hospital recorded 1,510 skilled deliveries in 2025, up from 1,399 in 2024.
Maternal mortality dropped from 346.5 per 100,000 live births in 2024 to 64.5 per 100,000 live births in 2025.Management attributed the improvement in maternal health outcomes to an operational research conducted in 2024 on respectful maternity care and the subsequent implementation of its recommendations.A total of 716 surgeries were conducted in 2025, compared to 648 in 2024. Of these, 349 were Caesarean sections. The hospital also successfully repaired two fistula cases and performed complex surgeries including hysterectomies and myomectomies.
The hospital’s laboratory services improved significantly, moving from a zero-star rating to a two-star rating under the International Standards for Laboratory quality assessment system. The Superintendent described this as a major milestone, noting that only 23 laboratories nationwide are recognized under the international quality categorization system.
Hepatitis B prevalence among clinical cases reduced slightly from 9.8 percent in 2024 to 9.2 percent in 2025. Hepatitis C dropped from 8.1 percent to 7.2 percent, while HIV prevalence declined from 5.6 percent to 5.0 percent.Among blood donors, Hepatitis B prevalence stood at 5.7 percent, Hepatitis C at 2.2 percent, and HIV at 0.6 percent.
The Superintendent expressed serious concern about blood donation levels. Out of 1,614 units of blood transfused in 2025, only 39 units were from voluntary donors, noting none is from the immediate community.
He revealed that voluntary donations came mainly from organized groups including the IGP Specialized Operations Unit and nursing training institutions, accounting the hospital spent GH¢3,500 to mobilize some of these donations, a move currently under audit scrutiny.
He stressed that the hospital does not sell blood but only charges laboratory processing fees, urging independent verification to address public concerns.“With both Christians and Muslims entering fasting periods, voluntary blood donation may further decline. We need community support to sustain this critical service,” he appealed.Despite recording 1,510 deliveries, the hospital operates with fewer than 20 midwives, 2 at the antenatal unit, 12 at the maternity and with 4 stationed at the gynaecology ward.
Management praised staff for their sacrifices, noting that some routinely work beyond their scheduled hours to sustain services.The hospital maintained a 97 percent medicine availability rate throughout 2025, close to the 100 percent target.
The Superintendent commended the National Health Insurance Scheme, noting that 88 percent of services were rendered to insured clients. However, he revealed that three months of NHIS claims remain locked due to administrative issues, affecting the hospital’s finances.The Superintendent concluded by thanking traditional leaders, assembly members, management, staff, and the media especially Bole based Nkilgi fm for their continuous support.
Despite financial constraints and operational challenges, he reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare and expressed hope that 2026 would bring renewed strength, improved staff welfare, and enhanced service delivery for the people of Bole and its surrounding communities.
Source: nkilgifm.com
