Kumasi, March 9, GNA-A survey conducted by the Ministry of Health (MOH) showed that out of a total of 141,000 houses inspected randomly in the Kumasi metropolis only 39,000 representing about 28 per cent had toilet facilities.

Dr. Kofi Asare, Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services revealed this at the 2004 performance health review meeting in Kumasi on Wednesday.

He has therefore appealed to the various district assemblies and individuals to ensure proper hygiene and environmental sanitation at all times since most of the diseases recorded in 2003 and 2004 are all hygiene related such as typhoid, malaria, diarrhoea and anaemia. Dr Asare, who pegged the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate as 4.6 per cent in the region, appealed to the people to go for voluntary tests to enable them to know their health status.

He revealed that antenatal care attendance which was 133,575 in 2003 fell to 131,778 representing 79.8 per cent in 2004 and urged mothers to attend the clinics and post-natal for treatment. He announced that the government has with effect from this year made provision for free deliveries in registered hospitals, clinics, health centres and other private health institutions in the country. Dr Asare said total attendance of patients at the Out-Patients Departments of clinics, hospitals and health centres stood at 2,082,19 in 2004.

Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, in a speech read for him, said the government is committed to improving facilities at hospitals, health centres and clinics to enable the people receive quality health care.

He assured the readiness and preparedness of the Regional Co-ordinating Council to give the necessary logistical support to the health institutions to enable them to perform better.

Nana Appau Karikari, Omanhene of Bekwai traditional area, who chaired the function, stressed the need for periodic health education programmes to sensitise the people on their health status.