Plan Ghana, a child centred non-governmental organisation would over the next five years scale up women and children's health programme through intensive action.

Mr Prem Shukla, Country Director, Plan Ghana, said women and children’s health is critical for the nation’s socio-economic development.

He said it is essential that the lives of mothers, newborns and children under five are saved through the provision of quality health services; especially for those living in depraved communities.

Mr Shukla who was speaking to Ghana News Agency in Koforidua on the sideline of the closing ceremony of Plan Ghana’s Women and Their Children’s Health (WATCH) project, said, healthy women and children population would give rise to a health nation.

The WATCH, which was a three and half year community-based health intervention project was aimed at saving the lives of mothers, newborns, and children under five, with funding from Canada.

The overall goal of the project was to improve maternal, newborn and child health in underserved populations in Akuapem North, Upper Manya Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo Districts of the Eastern Region, and Hohoe, South Tongu and Kadjebi Districts in the Volta Region.

The Country Director said the next phase of the project would be extended to cover the rest of the country; especially its operational districts.

Mr Shukla said the project would help strengthen the health system and enhance capacity to improve the quality of health services.

He said the next phase would increase the use of preventive and responsive practices in maternal, newborn and child health by community members, especially women and their male family members.

He observed that governments all over the world are now pursuing people-centred health development; which provides equitable access to health systems and effective treatments.