HIV cases on the increase in Ketu-South

The Ketu South Municipality has recorded a high number of 622 new HIV cases in their health facilities last year.

The figure which included 64 children, has increased the number of people living with HIV and currently on treatment in the area to 1,073, the highest number recorded in the Volta Region.

Mr. Joseph Degley, Municipal Director of Health Services, announced this during the Directorate’s 2013 Annual Performance Review Conference on Tuesday at Denu.

The theme for this two-day conference was: “The Role of Community Leadership in Curbing Maternal Death and Child Health Improvement.”

Mr. Degley said that 401 Tuberculosis (TB) cases were recorded in the year, with one case of the recently discovered resistant form of TB strain called Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDRTB).

He said that by the statistics done in the area, there were five maternal deaths compared to four in 2012. Last year, eight neonatal and three infant mortality cases occurred, compared to six and zero rates respectively for the previous year.

Mr. Degley also gave statistics of 56,249 malaria cases with 21 deaths (0.2%) being Fatality Rate compared to 23,084 cases with 11 deaths (0.06%) recorded in 2012, in the Volta Region.

He said, improving child health, eliminating maternal mortality under the MDGs Four to Six, and HIV, TB, Malaria control and management, high quality curative care, CHPS implementation and Disease Surveillance, formed part of their priorities in the year.

According to him, the Directorate was faced with staff shortfall, despite the presence of three doctors currently at post.

Mr. Degley reminded staff that quality-driven client-focused and result oriented services remained the core values of their services.

Ketu South Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Pascal Lamptey, congratulated the directorate for the conference stating that it was a statutory requirement for state institutions and departments to render accounts of stewardship to the people.

He however, bemoaned the high statistics recorded for HIV and TB cases in the area which has kept the figures of the regional highest for four consecutive years.

He said that, although the situation could be attributed to the fact that the area was a border area, drastic measures has to be put in place to curb this negative trend. He also urged authorities to increase sensitization on these key health challenges to help reverse the trend.

Dr. Joseph Teye Nuertey, Volta Regional Director of Health Services, appealed to community leaders to collaborate with Community Health Officers and CHPS compound officials, to help reduce infant and maternal mortality.