Tepa (Ash), Jan. 13, GNA - The Tepa District Hospital in the Ahafo-A= no North District has rewarded 14 employees for their hard work, dedication and professionalism. They received refrigerators, full pieces of cloth and Certificates o= f Honour. Ms Monica Tawiah of the Accident and Emergency Ward was adjudged the=

overall best worker and took home a double-decker fridge. The District Coordinating Director, Mr Emmanuel Aidoo praised the management and staff of the facility for the wonderful work they are doin= g to bring quality health care to the people. He encouraged them not to become complacent but to sustain the momen= tum to save lives. Additionally, they should ensure that they treat patients with respe= ct and civility. Mr Collins Kesse, the Health Administrator, gave an overview of the hospital performance in 2009 and said Out-Patients Department (OPD) attendance dropped to 30,462 from the previous year's figure of 41,442. At the same time cases of malaria were down from 19,540 in 2008 to 17,559, a reduction of 10 per cent. Intestinal worms' infestation, however, rose to 10,047 from 417 in 2008, an increase of 151 per cent. Mr Kesse said for the first time in six years, the hospital recorded=

three maternal deaths and gave the assurance that adequate measures had b= een put in place to prevent future recurrence. The Omanhene of the Tepa Traditional Area, Nana Adusei Atwenewaa Amp= em, said he was confident that the workers would be motivated by the awards t= o raise their performance. He pledged to provide residential accommodation for some of the hospital staff.