Takoradi, Dec. 29, GNA - Mr Edwin Kunbatazie, Western Regional Health Education Officer has reminded the public that child deliveries at all government and mission hospitals in the region, now attract no fees. Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Takoradi on Wednesday, he said, this follows the inclusion of the region in the exemption package on labour deliveries.

Mr Kunbatazie said the exemption includes emergency surgical services such as caesarean section.

He said pregnant women in the region would enjoy free labour deliveries whether or not they are registered for the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Mr Kunbatazie said the three northern regions and the Central Region are also benefiting from the exemption package on labour deliveries. He said the package is part of the government's efforts to increase access to health services for pregnant women to reduce maternal and infant mortality under the Safe Motherhood Initiative.

Mr Kunbatazie said other components of the initiative were antenatal care, family planning and post abortion care.

He said 87 women in the region died during delivery in 2001, 92 died in 2002, while 82 died in 2003.

Mr Kunbatazie said the deaths were caused by delays in seeking medical care, following complications during pregnancy, lack of transport to convey patients to hospitals on time and financial constraints. He said to solve these problems, the Ghana Health Service is establishing emergency response units at all health facilities to ensure prompt treatment and Maternal Audit Teams to ascertain the causes of maternal and infant deaths.