Dr Emmanuel Srofenyoh, Head of Clinical Services of Ridge Hospital, has called on the Government to include some basic drugs in the list being covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He said the inclusion of drugs in the NHIS such as Hydralazine, Nifidipine and Oxytocin which helps to prevent bleeding, would help reduce maternal deaths in the country.

Dr Srofenyoh made the call at a workshop for pregnant women at Ashaiman, near Tema, on Saturday.

It was organised by Midwives for Women and Children Health, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and sponsored by African Women Development Fund.

It was aimed at exploring the opinions of pregnant women and also educating community members about pregnancy and its complications.

Dr Srofenyoh said due to financial hardship, some pregnant women did not buy these drugs prescribed for them and, therefore, "resorted to seek medical care in the dark”.

He said anaemia, rising blood pressure and bleeding were some of the factors that contributed to maternal death.

He urged traditional rulers to encourage pregnant women to attend ante-natal care to ensure a safe delivery.

Dr Srofenyoh advised the pregnant women to cultivate the habit of savings so that they could raise some money for their health needs.

He appealed to hospital staff to change their attitude and be more friendly to clients.

Dr Srofenyoh commended the NGO for the initiative and urged women to take advantage of the workshop and better their knowledge.

Madam Alice Asamany, Chief Executive Officer of the NGO, said it would continue to offer the needed assistance to women and children to improve their health condition.

She urged pregnant women to eat well and also desist from eating white clay, popularly known as ‘’ayelor”” which causes health-hazards in pregnancy.

She expressed the hope that participants would impart the knowledge acquired unto others.