Koforidua Sept. 29, GNA - The First Lady; Mrs Ernestina Naadu Mills, on Thursday called on public-spirited individuals and organisations to step up efforts to mobilise resources to accelerate the reduction of maternal mortality.

This, she said would enable Ghana to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) four and five.

Mrs Naadu Mills made the call when she launched the Eastern Region/District/Municipal level Advocacy teams on Campaign for Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality (CARMMA) in Koforidua. CARMMA is an international campaign to fight against maternal mortality= .. She said all stakeholders have a role to play to ensure that expectant mothers get to health facilities early enough to have a skilled delivery.

Dr Kwasi Akyem Apea-Kubi, Regional Minister, noted that the area continue to record the highest maternal mortality ratio and HIV prevalence in the country.

"The situation calls for the concerted efforts of our traditional authorities, religious leaders, health professionals, educational authorities and civil society to fight the common enemies of preventable maternal deaths and HIV scourge," he said. Dr Apea-Kubi said Government had shown commitment in the achievement of the MDG's, especially in maternal health through a number of interventions.

He said under the National Health Insurance Scheme, pregnant women are registered free of charge to enjoy basic health services. "Also, as part of Malaria and HIV and AIDS programme, pregnant women receive free Intermittent Preventive Treatment and prevention of Mother to Child Transmission services."

Dr Apea-Kubi appealed to opinion leaders to establish community ambulance systems by arranging with private transport unions to transport persons with emergency cases to health facilities. He also appealed to the Ministry of Health to post more medical doctors to the region so that each district hospital would have at least two medical officers to carry out emergency obstetric operations.