Mankranso (Ash) Aug 17, GNA - Dr. Albert Oduro, Medical Superintendent in charge of the Mankranso Government hospital in the Ahafo-Ano South district has complained about inadequate health personnel in the area, saying this is a major challenge that needed immediate solution.

Only one medical doctor and a medical assistant have been taking care of a population of 184,000.

The situation, he said, has been compounded by the withdrawal of health assistants trained under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP).

Dr. Oduro, who was addressing a mid-year performance review meeting of the District Health Management Team (DHMT) at Mankranso also underlined the need to provide the district hospital with an ambulance.

He said given the facility's strategic location on the Kumasi-Sunyani highway, this was necessary to ensure efficient handling of road accident emergencies.

Mr. Patrick Fiagbe of the Ashanti Regional Health Administration commended the DHMT for recording zero maternal deaths since 2008 and urged them to continue to work hard to bring quality health care to the people.

He conceded that lack of health professionals, especially midwives was a major problem confronting the Ghana Health Service (GHS) as most of them in the service would soon retire.

He therefore appealed to district assemblies to sponsor people to be trained as nurses, who would come back to serve in their communities to fill vacancies in the various health facilities.

Mr. Fiagbe gave the assurance that everything possible would be done to post more staff to the district.

Mr. Reuben Bedzrah, Director of Health Service, urged the people to adopt healthy eating habits, exercise their bodies regularly and take good rest.

Malaria topped the list of diseases reported in the district during the first half of the year, recording 21,605 cases, followed 5,493 cases of acute respiratory infections, diarrhea, 3,052 and intestinal worm infestation, 229 cases.

Nana Atta Gyasiwaa, Queen of Betinko, called for the intensification of family planning education in the area to enhance acceptance among the people.

She cautioned against the use of herbal concoctions for prevention and termination of unwanted pregnancies.