Koforidua, Dec. 16, GNA - The Republic of Korea has presented two ambulances, a Pick-up and some medical equipment valued at two million US dollars to the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (RCC). The presentation is to support efforts at reducing maternal and infant mortality in the Eastern Region.

Mr Sang-hak Lee, Korean Ambassador to Ghana, who made the presentation on Wednesday, said Ghana could overcome its high maternal and infant mortality if the local authority demonstrated the desire to succeed. This is because they were those who would be responsible for the implementation of any project aimed at overcoming the challenge, he said. Mr Lee said the government and people of the Korean Republic shared the concern of Ghana in controlling the high maternal and infant mortality because the Koreans also had those painful experiences about 40 years ago. Mr Lee said at that time, the infant mortality rate of Korea was around 12 per cent, one of the highest in the world.

He said parents who were not sure that their children could survive decided to register them only after their second birthdays. Mr Lee said with the support of the international community and commitment of the people of Korea, they were able to overcome the problem and now had an infant mortality rate of 0.4 per cent adding that Ghana could also succeed.

Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, thanked the Korean Government for the gesture.

He said the presentation had come at a good time when the region had recorded the highest maternal mortality in the country for three consecutive years.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo gave the assurance that the RCC and the Regional Health Administration would ensure that the vehicles and medication were put to good use to help bring down the infant and maternal mortality rate in the region.

Mr Dua Oyinka, Eastern Regional Health Administrator, said most of the facilities would be extended to Community Health Improvement Programme (CHIP) centres in Upper Manya, Yilo Krobo and Kwahu West Districts to improve health delivery.