Tema residents observe birth control measures

Tema, Jan 16, GNA - Residents of the Tema metropolis have been commended for observing birth control measures leading to a decrease in the number of births recorded in the metropolis in 2008. Madam Hannah Twumasi-Ankrah, Tema Metropolitan Director of Birth and Death Registry, told the GNA on Thursday that her outfit in 2008 registered 10,513 births under-one year compared to 12,446 registered in 2007.

While 18,284 births comprising children under one year old and above one year were registered in 2008, 21,892 were registered in 2007. Out of the total birth registered last year, 10,181 were boys and 8,103 were girls. Some 6,531 babies were born in hospitals, 2,138 in clinics, 913 at maternity homes and 917 at home. Fourteen were born at other places including vehicles and markets. Madam Twumasi-Ankrah said a total of 2,139 deaths were registered in 2008 compared to the 2,317 recorded in 2007 indicating a slight decrease in the death rate in the metropolis, adding that 1,262 were men 877 were women.

There was an increase in the death of children under-one year as her outfit recorded 50 deaths made up of 23 boys and 27 girls. Thirty-five deaths were recorded in 2007. She attributed the increase to parents' failure to send their children to health facilities at the early stage of ailment and that most of them resorted to self medication until the situation worsened. Madam Twumasi-Ankrah appealed to parents to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).