By
Yussif Ibrahim, GNA
Asokore-Mampong
(Ash), Feb. 26, GNA – Low patronage of family planning methods in the Asokore
Mampong Municipality, has left health authorities worried about its
implications on population growth.
Records at the
Municipal Health Directorate showed that the acceptor rate of family planning
among eligible persons in 2019 was only 6.7 per cent.
The Reverend Solomon
Anum Doku, the Municipal Health Director who made this known, said the situation
called for stakeholder engagement to encourage citizens to embrace family
planning to improve reproductive health in the Municipality.
Speaking at the at
the 2019 annual performance review at Asokore Mampong, Mr. Doku said the
Directorate as part of its key priority areas for improvement in 2020, was
targeting 12 per cent coverage.
This year’s
performance review, which was on the theme: “Ensuring Healthy Lives and
Promoting Well-being for all at all Ages in Asokore Mampong Municipality, was
attended by health workers, community volunteers and selected heads of
decentralized departments.
The Municipal
Director said the Directorate would not only intensify the campaign for family
planning this year, but general medical care including antenatal, immunization
as well as disease surveillance and response.
He further announced
the Directorate’s resolve to ensure zero maternal death, reduce still birth and
increase skilled delivery from 10.7 to 15 per cent in 2020.
He appealed to the
Municipal Assembly to upgrade the Sepe Dote Health Center to a polyclinic and
also build new health centers at Aboabo and Asabi, densely-populated suburbs to
make healthcare more accessible.
Mr. Doku said
efforts were being made to ensure that all public health facilities in the
Municipality had emergency units for prompt response to cases.
He expressed regret
about the lack of a government hospital in the Municipality which, he said, was
contributing to the referral of most cases to facilities outside the
Municipality and called on government to take urgent step to address the
problem.
Alhaji Alidu Seidu,
the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) applauded the health workers for their
sacrifices in providing healthcare to the people in the face of the numerous
challenges.
He said the assembly
was committed to addressing the health needs of the people and would continue
to support the Health Directorate to deliver quality healthcare to the people.
GNA