Ms Yvonne Graham Hayfron, Mfantseman Municipal Director of Health Services on Tuesday announced that the Municipal Hospital at Saltpond last year recorded zero maternal deaths as against three in 2011.

She said the hospital however recorded 32 still-births and noted that the situation could have been avoided if expectant mothers did not delay in reporting at the facility while more midwives are engaged in the hospital.

Ms Hayfron who made the announcement during the annual Performance Review meeting at Saltpond said malaria remained the major illness reported at the hospital adding that out of 9,872 patients received the ailment recorded 1,635.

She said out of a total of 128 deaths recorded at the hospital, malaria alone recorded 26 per cent while anaemia in pregnant women dropped from 3.4 per cent in 2011 to 2.7 last year.

The Municipal Health Director expressed concern about the high cases of hypertension and diabetes in the area.

Hypertension recorded 1,273 while diabetes accounted for 3,618 cases.

The hospital received 5,979 anaemia cases, 4,978 worm cases, with acute urinary tract infection recording 3192 cases.

She said abortion cases however reduced from 445 in 2011 to 414 last year, with fistula cases also reducing from 28 in 2011 to 19 last year.

Ms Hayfron expressed worry about the lack of medical doctors in many of the health facilities in the municipality, adding that for instance the Saltpond hospital has only one medical doctor to cater for the large number of out-patients.

She appealed to the Ministry of Health to as a matter of urgency post more doctors and medical assistants to the municipality.

She said the seven health facilities in the area do not have adequate midwives, adding that that the Saltpond hospital for instance has one midwife who caters for the more than 1,210 antenatal cases that report at the hospital.

Ms Hayfron advised the public to endeavour to use treated mosquito nets while those being treated for malaria should make it a point to complete the treatment regime.

She explained that if malaria is not well treated it could result in complications and death.

Mr Kweku Hayfron Municipal Chief Executive said he was pleased with the hospital’s efforts of not recording maternal deaths last year.

He said a midwifery school is being constructed at Saltpond which would become operational in September.

Mr Hayfron said the assembly would annually sponsor three midwifery students.

He said feasibility studies are being made to acquire a bigger land to construct a new hospital at Saltpond to cater for the health needs of the area.

He appealed to those who have not yet registered with the National Health Insurance Scheme to endeavour to do so to enable them receive quality health care.