Abortion on the increase in Jaman districts

Drobo (B/A), Feb 22, GNA - Abortion is increasing in Jaman North and Jaman South districts in Brong Ahafo and health officials have resolved to reverse the trend.

At a combined annual performance review meeting, officials of the two districts expressed concern about the situation, saying abortion was increasing in their localities than any other disease.

The representatives of five private maternity homes, two clinics and two main hospitals in the two districts resolved to embark on an intensive education programme to curb it.

They appealed to the district assemblies to formulate byelaws and suggested sex education by health officials in basic and second cycle institutions.

Dr Ralph D. Dagoe, the District Director of Health Services, said community-based surveillance volunteers would be trained and motivated to strengthen the surveillance system.

He said the system would be for measles, guinea worm and celebro-spinal meningitis and that community registers would be used to trace immunization defaulters.

Dr Dago warned staff against acts of indiscipline and urged them to work as a team to avoid maternal deaths. ''Two avoidable maternal deaths were recorded last year.''