Mamponteng (Ash), Jan. 21, GNA - The Kwabre District has for four years running recorded zero maternal deaths. Dr Kwabena Boateng Boakye, District Director of Health Service, who made this known at a meeting at Mamponteng in the Ashanti Region, said this was made possible by the Government's free delivery policy, ante-natal care and the hard work of the health personnel. The meeting took stock of achievements and challenges during 2009 and fashioned out strategies to improve health delivery performance. It was attended by health professionals, assembly members and heads of decentralised departments.

Dr Boakye said malaria continued to top the list of diseases reported at the hospitals and clinics. He said a total of 41,252 cases were recorded during the period. There were 5,527 cases of diarrhoea, 3,422 acute respiratory infections and 2,220 cases of skin diseases and ulcers. A total of 1,711 cases of hypertension were seen, 562 acute eye infections, 709 intestinal worm infestations and 1,413 home accidents and injuries.

Dr Boakye said the district achieved more than 80 per cent immunisation coverage and spoke of the need to work harder to hit the 100 per cent target.

He said the focus was to get the District Hospital well equipped, ensure the availability of basic obstetric care in all health facilities and to strengthen monitoring and supervision. During an open forum, contributors said there was the need for the Health Ministry to provide all medical facilities with state-of-the-art facilities for efficient health care delivery. Nana Kwakye Bekoe, a medical technologist, called on the Pharmacy Council to organise training for chemical sellers in the district to up-grade their competence. 21 Jan. 10