Dr Joseph Oduro, Deputy Ashanti Regional Director for Public Health, has cut the sod for work to commence on a GH¢240,000.00 maternity block at the Ejisu Government Hospital.

It is expected to be ready within six months and would be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a labour ward, rest rooms for doctors and nurses, as well as an antenatal clinic.

Funds for the project are being provided by MTN, one of the leading mobile telecommunications operators in the country.

Dr. Oduro said it would significantly help to improve the quality of antenatal care at the facility, and help bring down the incidence of maternal mortality in the area.

He invited corporate bodies to support the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in its effort at reducing maternal deaths saying, this could come in the form of provision of health infrastructure in deprived communities, sponsoring the training of personnel and safe motherhood campaigns by the GHS.

The 2008 World Bank statistics put the lifetime risk of maternal death in Ghana as high as 66 per cent.

Dr. Oduro praised MTN for its commitment to health issues, saying the company since the start of its operation in the country has been helpful in the promotion of quality health delivery.

Mrs Cynthia Lumor, an official of MTN, said she is confident the project would enhance maternal health care at the hospital.**