Sekondi, Feb 09, GNA - The Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital would soon open a special clinic for teenagers to cater for their health needs. Dr Linda Van-Otoo, Deputy Western Regional Director in charge of Public Health, said this during the presentation of 10 million cedis by the Ghanaian community in the Sainte Nicola D'Abagaria Catholic Church in Italy to the children's ward of the hospital at Sekondi on Wednesday. She said teenage pregnancy was rising in the Western Region and efforts must be put in place to enable such teenagers to access health care without any hindrance.

Dr Van-Otoo said "if we fail such teenagers, they could increase the maternal mortality and child morbidity rates of the region by refusing to attend ante-natal clinics and hospitals in general". She said several people continually neglect their children at the hospitals after treatment while a few others abandon theirs on refuse dumps.

"Such acts could ruin the future of the region and the country as a whole with its attendant effect on the economic and social well being of the country."

Dr Van-Otoo appealed to Ghanaians living in Italy to mobilise resources and come and assist health, educational and other infrastructure.

Mr Patrick Marfo-Sarbeng, President of the Church, said the funds were realised through special deductions made by the congregation for repatriation to Ghana.

He said the collections, which started four years ago, had been given to several health centres and orphanages in the Ashanti, Central and Western regions.