The First Lady, Mrs Ernestina Naadu Mills, has observed that achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on health, particularly in respect of reducing maternal and child mortality is within the reach of the nation.

She, therefore, challenged stakeholders to step up the campaign efforts to achieve the target to boost reproductive health.

The First Lady indicated that even though the health status of Ghanaians had improved generally over the years, the incidence of maternal and child mortality is not encouraging.

According to the 2010 World Health Organisation report, maternal mortality has reduced to 510 per 100,000 live births in the country.

Mrs Naadu Mills, was speaking at the inauguration and first matriculation ceremony of the Pramso St Michael’s Midwifery Training School in the Bosomtwe District of Ashanti Region on Thursday.

The facility brings to 12 the number of health training institutions operating in the Region.

“Achieving the MDG 5, the Role of a Midwifery Training School”, was the theme.

The First Lady said as part of moves to bolster reproductive health, government had found it necessary to re-introduce the Certificate Programme in Midwifery.

The programme seeks to provide professionally and practically competent calibre of nurses specially carved for deprived communities, especially the community-based health planning service compounds to serve as gate keepers in saving more pregnant mothers from death.

Mrs Naadu Mills expressed optimism that, the move would also help to provide basic emergency obstetric care at all health centres as well as scaling up community case management and strengthening high impact rapid delivery and maternal mortality.

Mrs Joyce Assan Principal of the School, charged the students to work harder for their career development.

In all, a total of 87 students were matriculated to commence a two-year Basic Certificate Programme in Midwifery.**