Akyem Oda Sept. 7 GNA- Dr Yaw Otchere, the Birim South District Director of Health Services, on Thursday assured the public that, Arthesonate Amodiaquine is safe for the treatment of malaria if taken according to correct prescription.

He said the drug was normally taken according to ones weight and advised against it being taken overdose.

Dr. Otchere gave the advice at a day's workshop held for 250 Community Based Surveillance Volunteers at Akyem Oda to review their activities for the mid year.

He urged the volunteers to educate the people against patronising the activities of quack doctors who go from house-to-house to inject patients with the same syringe.

Dr Otchere expressed concern about 25 reported maternal mortality cases from the communities within the period and urged the volunteers to educate pregnant women on the need to attend antenatal clinics regularly.

He advised them to know their limitations and not to try to treat cases beyond their competence but rather to refer them to hospitals. Mr Jonas Adjei, the District Tuberculosis (TB) Co-ordinator said 50 TB cases were reported at the Akyem Oda Government Hospital from January to August this year as against 45 cases recorded within the same period last year.

He urged the volunteers to sensitise the public on the need for anyone who persistently cough for two weeks to report at the hospital for diagnosis, adding that TB treatment is free. Mr Paul David Adwere, a Principal Technical Officer called on the volunteers to ensure that measles were eradicated completely in their communities.

During an open forum, the volunteers appealed for logistics such as Wellington boots, raincoats and bicycles to facilitate their work.