High rate of still births a worry to health providers

Ejura (Ash) Jan. 26, GNA - The high rate of still birth in Ejura-Sekyedumase District has become a source of worry to health providers in the area. Mr Jacob Amoah, District Health Director, said a total of 36 cases were recorded in 2009 as against 37 the previous year. He said some of the causes were delays in reporting to the health facilities for supervised delivery, failure of pregnant mothers to attend ante-natal clinic, inefficient transport system and poverty. Addressing an annual performance review meeting at Ejura, Mr Amoah said there were also two maternal deaths during the period under review. The district with a population of 109,594 and 125 communities has four doctors, 21 nurses and four midwives.

The Health Directorate has no vehicle while the district hospital lacks an ambulance, X-ray equipment, children and casualty wards. Dr Joseph Oduro, Deputy Ashanti Regional Director of Health Service, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency in an interview, confirmed that the number of still births in the area was high. He said the Regional Directorate had initiated action to capture the causes and determine appropriate interventions to reverse the situation. Mr Benjamin Kuupil, Administrator of the district hospital also raised concern about the rising cases of Hepatitis "B". A total of 88 cases were seen by the facility in 2009, as against zero in 2008. He therefore appealed to the communities to report all suspected cases for prompt treatment since the disease was infectious and dangerous. 26 Jan. 10