Pramso (Ash), Sept. 27, GNA - Criminal abortions in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma district has continued to shoot higher this year as the Saint Michael's Catholic Hospital at Pramso recorded 62 cases between January and June this year.

Reverend Sister Mary Owusu-Frimpong, acting Executive Secretary of the Obuasi Catholic Diocese of Health, who announced this, said for the same period last year, the hospital recorded 55 criminal abortion cases. Rev Sister Owusu-Frimpong announced this at the launching of a programme of activities to mark celebration of the feast of Saint Michael at Pramso on Monday.

The hospital was named after Saint Michael.

The weeklong celebration, include a number of educative talks on abortion, HIV/AIDS and menopause as well as clean-up exercises. She attributed the ascendancy of criminal abortions in the district to teenage pregnancy, irresponsible parenthood and deliberate failure to adhere to counsel from health workers.

Rev Sister Owusu-Frimpong said as part of measures to help curb the trend and to discourage such negative practices, the hospital has now resulted to charging huge bills in respect of incomplete abortion cases.

She said in addition to the high charges, the hospital has also intensified its reproductive education programmes at the school, community and group levels.

Mr Isaac Yaw Asamoah, HIV/AIDS Co-ordinator of the hospital, disclosed that the number of AIDS cases reduced from 49 cases between January and June 2003 to 42 the same period this year.

He, however, said that is not a license for relaxation and that there is the need to still intensify the education to create the needed awareness about the dangers of the disease.