Accra, Jan. 3, GNA - Seventy-eight babies were delivered in two hospitals in Accra during the Christmas and New Year days. The deliveries, which took place at Ridge and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospitals, had 47 females and 31 males with 18 Caesarean sections. Ridge had 41 deliveries, 16 males, 25 females and eight Caesarean sections whilst Korle-Bu recorded 37 births with 15 males, 22 females and 10 Caesarean sections.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Ms Vivian Dosoo, Principal Midwife at the Ridge Hospital, said the children and their mothers were all in good health. She noted that the Hospital had improved its attention and care for patients, which had generated public confidence in the activities of the Hospital and that has led to the huge attendance at the Out Patient Department (OPD). She said the increase in the daily attendance of patients had over-stretched facilities, adding that the Gynaecology OPD was currently too small to accommodate and give sitting comfort to both pregnant women during antenatal clinic days and for others.

In 2004, the Unit recorded 1,900 births; 2,800 births in 2005 and 4,600 births as at November 2006. Ms Dosoo said the Hospital received referred cases from Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, and all the Polyclinics in Accra resulting in congestion and thus putting pressure on the limited facilities.