Sunyani (B/A), Jan 30, GNA- Available statistics indicate that hypertension cases are on the increase in the Sunyani Municipality with women being the worst affected.

Dr. David A. Opare, Municipal Director of Health Services who disclosed this at an end of year meeting said the disease, which had increased by 54 per cent continued to be among the 10 top out-patient cases reported at health facilities in the municipality. He said out of the 4,982 cases recorded in 2006, women contributed 3,015, adding, the figures far exceeded that of 2005 in which 2,697 cases were recorded for both males and females.

The Municipal Health Director observed that diabetes and mental health cases had also increased by 35 percent and 25 percent respectively, with females being the main victims of the former. "In the Sunyani Municipality, more females are getting hypertension and diabetes more than their male counterparts", he said. He, however, noted that gastroenteritis, a disease associated with bad sanitation had gone down because of improved sanitation in the municipality.

Dr. Opare also observed that the municipality chalked success in antenatal delivery care and met its target for the vaccine preventable diseases for 2006, saying 7,728 representing 92.9 per cent was registered for antenatal whilst the coverage for 2005 was 66.8 percent.

Touching on family planning, the municipal director said the practice was gradually gaining root as patronage had increased from 20.1 percent to 36 .1 percent, but added that the male condom was the second most preferred choice and that had cut down delivery by eight percent. Dr Opare noted that out-patient cases also increased by 27 percent due to the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Kwame Twumasi Awuah, advised health workers to be faithful in the implementation of the scheme and not to indulge in negative practices that could jeopardize the scheme. He hinted that some uncompleted health facilities and others that needed face lifting would be given due recognition this year.

The MCE announced that plans were under way to get a group in Amsterdam in Holland to provide an ambulance for the municipal hospital.