Tarkwa, Feb. 21, GNA - The refusal of pregnant women to take their drugs, poor eating habits and the refusal to use insecticide treated bed nets have contributed to anaemia among pregnant women and children less tha= n five years.

In 2008, 13 women died from anaemia while of 703 pregnant who were admitted with anaemia in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality, 26 died from anaemia.

He said within the same period 234 children fewer than five died in hospitals in the municipality, in 2008, 167 in 2009 and 350 last year. Dr Jack Galley, Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Director of Health Services, said at a stakeholders' forum at Tarkwa on Monday. He said the situation needed urgent attention and appea;ed to all departments of the hospital to intensify their education to reduce anaemia among women and children.

Dr. Galley said it was unfortunate that many of the pregnant illegal gol= d diggers, were unemployed and had adopted foreign eating habits while some were eating from roadside food vendors, to the detriment of their health. He said Out Patients Department (OPD) visit to government and private hospitals in the municipality was decreasing.

Dr. Galley said if the data is accurate and that less people are attending the hospital it means, the health status of people are improving. He however cautioned that the sick should not resort to prayer camps an= d other centres for healing since any delay could worsen their plight and endanger their health.