No case of guinea worm and maternal death at Ejisu-Juaben

Ejisu, (Ash), Feb. 3, GNA- Dr. Badu Sarkodie, the Ejisu-Juaben District Director of Health Services (DDHS), on Thursday said there was no recorded case of guinea worm and maternal death last year, in the area.

The District Director of Health, who was addressing the annual performance review meeting of the Ejisu-Juaben District Health Administration, at Ejisu, however, said one case each of guinea worm and maternal deaths were recordeded in 2004.

The meeting which was attended by representatives from the five sub-districts of the Ejisu-Juaben District Health Directorate, sought to create a platform for assessing health performance for last year, and to map out strategies to ensure the successful implementation of health programmes.

Dr. Sarkodie attributed the reduction in guinea worm and maternal deaths in the area to the hard work of health staff and the provision of potable water by the district assembly and charitable organizations. He said the fast spreading of HIV/AIDS, increasing cases of Hypertension, diabetes and the recent outbreak of cholera in the area, were clear indications that the people's attitude towards safe sex and hygienic practices needed to be changed.

Dr. Sarkodie said: "We need to undertake aggressive education to help people change their attitude towards moderation of alcohol consumption, smoking and environmental sanitation".

Madam Ellen Ofosu, the District Public Health Nurse, urged pregnant women to attend hospitals for antenatal care and delivery since Government had now declared such services free.