General News of Tuesday, 8 September 2009

Source: GNA

Ashanti Region needs a regional hospital

Kumasi, Sept 8, GNA - Mrs. Theresa Otuo-Acheampong, Ashanti Regional Deputy Director of Health has appealed to the Ministry of Health, to speed up work on the proposed regional hospital, to ease pressure and congestion at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). Currently KATH is serving as the major referral centre in the region for enhanced healthcare delivery.

Mrs. Otuo-Acheampong made the call in Kumasi at a day's workshop on Strengthening Advocacy efforts on Reproductive Health supplies in the National Health Insurance Scheme budget line. It was organised by the Environmental Protection Association of Ghana (EPAG) in collaboration with the Plant Parenthood Association of Ghana.

The Deputy Director said the construction of a regional hospital was also crucial in the training of house officers and nurses on the job for the benefit of patients, stressing that it was high time the Ministry moved into action to begin work at the Sewua site, which had been allocated for the project.

Mr. Haruna Yoda, Programmes Co-ordinator of EPAG underscored the need for non-governmental and civil society organisations to intensify the education of the youth on reproductive health issues. This, he said, would enable them to make informed decisions about their sexual health for the prevention of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Mr. Yoda called on government to create a national budget line for Reproductive Health Supplies such as birth control pills, condoms to help in family planning for population control. 08 Sept. 09