Takoradi, Feb.2, GNA, GNA - Lack of several essential medical tools and equipment has compelled the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital to refer patients to the Takoradi District Hospital.

There are inadequate chest tubes, X-ray films and above all, the absence of a means of conveying the injured from the casualty reception to the laboratory and wards, Dr Sam Peprah, head of the Hospital's Accident and Emergency unit said at a 2006 review conference at Takoradi on Thursday.

He said head and spinal injury, in addition to bleeding were major causes of death recorded at the hospital.

The hospital recorded nine head injuries, four bleeding cases and three spinal injuries in 2006.

He said last year, the hospital recorded zero death from Tetanus infections, as against two in 2005.

Dr Peprah said there were 16 amputations during the year, up from six in 2005, adding that many people who reported with broken limbs and fractures failed to see a doctor when advised to do so. He said records indicated that 16,378 people visited the hospital in 2006 as against 14,194 in 2005.

Some 2,061 people were on admissions in 2006, up from 487 in 2005, he said, and attributed the rise to the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Dr Peprah said the hospital detained a total of 1,425 patients for non-payment of their medical bills between 2005 and 2006, while the number of people who died before they arrived at the facility was 124. A total of 257 died at the hospital during the period under review, he said, adding that most of the deceased aged between 16 and 46. The same age group constituted the most casualties of road accidents.