Sekondi, Dec. 27, GNA - Seven babies were delivered at the Effia Nkwanta and Takoradi hospitals on Christmas Day. Effia Nkwanta recorded four births made up of two boys and two girls, while the Takoradi Hospital recorded three births of two girls and a boy.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview at the hospitals Madam Mary Gyaah, a Nursing Officer at Effia Nkwanta said one of the births on Christmas day involved a caesarian section. She said pregnant women's high patronage of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) made their deliveries less stressful. Madam Gyaah said it was unfortunate that many more women had still not registered with the NHIS and were compelled to pay their own medical bills.

She advised Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) to refer pregnant women to the nearest hospital to avoid complications and loss of blood. Madam Gyaah noted that antenatal clinics were a must for every woman who became pregnant.

At the Takoradi Hospital, a nursing officer told the GNA that all the three women who delivered on Christmas Day were not covered by the NHIS and had to pay the full cost of delivery and drugs. The nursing officer said pregnancy management needed trained personnel and advised expectant women to visit the hospitals regularly to protect their unborn babies from diseases and stillbirth. 27 Dec. 06