Health directorate takes measures to reduce mortality

April 15
Story: Chris Nunoo, Tinniabmelle
THE Wa East District Directorate of Health Services is to undertake a vigorous campaign to reduce under-five mortality in the district.
It includes encouraging pregnant women to pay regular visits to health facilities for antenatal care, improving on institutional deliveries and regular monitoring of the growth of children.
The District Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Mr Joseph Bolibie, who made this known, expressed regret at the fact that the under-five mortality rate was still high in the region.
He, therefore, urged all institutions and stakeholders in the region to assist in achieving the objective.
Mr Bolibie entreated health personnel in the district to work hard to minimise the mortality rate from the present 208 deaths out of 1,000 births to at least 104 by the end of the year.
He urged all caregivers to remain vigilant and adopt child care and feeding practices to ensure the proper growth and development of children in the district.
Mr Bolibie also called for effective management and the early detection of diseases among children by health personnel.
“Hygienic practices like hand washing, for instance, will prevent diseases like diarrhoea and worm infestation which negatively affect children’s nutrition, growth and development,” he stressed.
The director of health services further advised fathers to support their wives in realising the noble objective.
The District Director of Agriculture, Mr David Waawula, stressed the importance of food in the survival and growth of mankind and consequently urged farmers to give their children fruits.