Maternal health care at the Asamankese general hospital in the Eastern region appears to be compromised as health personnel have been compelled by circumstances to develop an improvised ward to treat pregnant women.

The construction of a maternity block started eleven years ago has been abandoned by the contractor for reasons unknown to the health authorities at the hospital.

Speaking to Starr News, the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. Stephen Ayrakwa said the situation is putting a lot of strain on the medical staff at the facility.

“Where the pregnant women are kept now is not appropriately built for pregnant women. They are made-shift wards.

"The completion of the maternity block will put them in the right place where they must be and will also take pressure from the staff.

“ At first, we didn’t have the funds but now we have it, and we don’t understand why the contractor is not coming to work,” he bemoaned.