Koforidua, Aug. 1, GNA- The Eastern Region recorded 2396 new HIV cases within the first six months of the year.

This was disclosed by the Deputy Eastern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Emmanuel Kojo Tinkorang at this year's Ghana Health Service (GHS) Senior Managers Half Year Performance Review Meeting at Koforidua.

He said for the first time in many years, the region did not record any cholera cases within the first six months. Dr Tinkorang said the region still continue to record high maternal mortality and high mental cases with the region recording 587 new mental cases.

He called for the upgrading of facilities of the antenatal clinics and the organization of regular community durbars on maternal mortality in the region to help reduce the maternal mortality in the region.

The Head of Clinical Care Unit of the GHS in the region, Dr Joseph E. Taylor said the region was able to mobilize 900 units of blood during the period under considerations.

He said the quantity procured was inadequate for the region and called for efforts to attract more voluntary blood donors in the region. Dr Taylor said the number of pharmacists in the region was also inadequate and called for efforts to attract more pharmacist into the region

In his presentation, the Director of the Regional Hospital, Koforidua Dr Obeng Apori said to help reduce the long waiting time at the Out- Patient Department (OPD), the hospital had reorganized the OPD by appointing a manager and ensuring that two medical officers were present at all shifts.

He called on District Hospitals to patronize the specialist tele-consultance services