Dormaa-Ahenkro(B/A), Feb. 18, GNA - The 2007 annual report of Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital has indicated a sharp increase in out-patient morbidity from 51,705 in 2006 to 64,228 in the year, exceeding the hospital's target of 55,000. Over the period under review malaria, the leading disease of both in and out-patient attendance at the hospital, was also rated as the commonest sickness among the people within the catchment area as well as parts of Western Region and Ivorian communities on the border with Dormaa District.

The annual report also revealed that only three out of 1,242 pregnant women who were delivered at the hospital died due mainly to errors by the victims and their care-givers. Mr Fred Effah-Yeboah, General Manager of the Hospital, said in 2007 it recorded 43 sets of twins, 571 boys and 560 girls, as well as 66 stillbirths, made up of 54 macerated and 12 fresh cases and two neo-natal deaths.

On maternal mortality, he said the hospital intended to repeat its zero maternal mortality record in 2006 but efforts were thwarted by unforeseen factors including pregnant mothers' failure to access ante-natal care, undue delay of mothers in labour and lack of technical advice to mothers in remote areas.

"Even though maternal mortality is not restricted to any region in the country, persistent under-utilization of supervised delivery services has been identified specifically in the hinterland, where deliveries at home are being encouraged due largely to the distance to service delivery points," the General Manager added. Mr Effah-Yeboah noted that in spite of intensified public education on dangers associated with teenage pregnancy, the number of cases had not reduced to any appreciable level.

"A total of 180 young girls aged between 15 and 19 years received deliveries at the hospital in 2007," he said. Mr Effah-Yeboah noted that some of the young mothers enjoyed moral and material support from their families but others did not have any family member, compelling them to grapple with the burden of single motherhood.