Dormaa Ahenkro (B /A), Dec. 31, GNA - The Management of the Presbyterian hospital in Dormaa Ahenkro, at the week end, honoured eight babies delivered at the hospital last Friday. December 25. The babies were presented with clothing while their mothers received=

lactating food. Mr Fred Effah-Yeboah, General Manager of the hospital, who presented=

the items, said the hospital was poised to complement the desire of the World Health Organisation to ensure the eradication of maternal mortality= by the year 2015. He however cautioned that, governmental and institutional policies aimed at reducing maternal mortality would come to nothing if pregnant wo= men and their families stuck to the traditional methods of child birth. "With government's free health care policy for expectant mothers, th= ere is no justification for mothers to die while giving birth", the General Manager said.

Ms Rose Nyameadom, hospital matron, noted with regret that people, particularly in remote parts of the municipality, preferred giving birth at home and only rushed to the hospital when their conditions deteriorated. She described the practice as unhealthy for the hospital's records, as such maternal deaths and still births were attributed to the health facility.

Ms Nyameadom appealed to pregnant women in the area to submit to regular antenatal checks to ensure their safe delivery. Debora Nkansah, a beneficiary mother, on behalf of her colleagues thanked the management of the hospital and urged all pregnant women to refrain from giving birth at home.