Alokpatsa (V/R), June 1, GNA - A clinic has been inaugurated for Alokpatsa, a remote community in the Nkwanta District where 11 pregnant women reportedly died between June and September 1997 because of lack of emergency health services.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Koku Awoonor, Nkwanta District Director of Health, said the clinic, in addition to education under the Community Based Health Planning Services ( CHPS) programme, would help reduce maternal mortality in the area.

He advised the people to take family planning issues seriously, spacing between their children for the good health of their mothers, rather than bringing forth many as back up against deaths. Dr Awoonor, who is the National Coordinator of the CHPS Programme, said standard and cost of living was rising so fast to warrant circumspection for people with regards to childbirth.

He commended the District Health Management Team (DHMT) for ensuring the early completion of the clinic and Mr Gershon Gbediame, Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkwanta, who also provided 100 million cedis for nine CHPS compounds in the district.

Mr Jim Philips, an American, who was said to have introduced CHPS Programme in Ghana, said the system, which involves the people in the communities in planning for their own good health was crucial for improving health delivery in the country.

Nana Kele Alokpatsa expressed gratitude for the project and appealed to the government to help improve the road network in the area. 01 June 06