2014 HIGHLIGHTS ON HEALTH KATH to reduce maternal mortality in 2014 Kumasi, Jan. 9 – The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has vowed robust tackling of maternal and neonatal mortality, which has been unacceptably high at the facility. Technologist challenges medical personnel on edible fats Accra, Jan. 21 – Dr Kaku Kyiamah, a Science Technologist on Tuesday urged nutritionists and medical doctors to stop deceiving the public about omega-3 fatty acids and its impact on health. High cases of stillbirths in Oguaa Cape Coast, Jan. 30 - Mrs Elizabeth Bain-Doodu, a Senior Nursing Officer at the Cape Coast Central Reproductive and Child Health Centre, has expressed concern about the high rate of stillbirths among young mothers in the metropolis. HSWU will resist efforts to freeze wages Accra, Feb. 4 - The National Executive Council of Health Services Workers’ Union of the Trades Union Congress (Ghana), on Tuesday said it would resist any efforts by Government to freeze public sector wages this year. Cancer cases rise among young women Accra, Feb. 5 - Professor Joseph Clegg-Lamptey, Head of the Surgical Department at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, has expressed worry over the late arrival of cancer cases in hospitals leading to increase in the death tolls in the country. Hypertension tops cause of deaths at Saltpond Hospital Saltpond (C/R), Feb. 10 - A total of 22 out of 128 deaths recorded at the Saltpond Hospital in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region last year were caused by hypertension, surpassing malaria to become the major cause of death at the hospital in the year under review. Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital places ban on admission of patients Ankaful (C/R), March 4 - Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital in the Cape Coast Metropolis has been compelled to place embargo on new admissions as a result of erratic flow of funds and drugs from the government. Time on screen linked to high blood pressure in children, new study finds Accra, May 7 - A new study reveals that children who spend two hours or more in front of a screen (TV, computer, videogames) have over 2.5 fold increase in their odds of having high blood pressure (BP). Government to tighten tobacco control Accra, June 1 – Dr Akwasi Kyei-Faried, Deputy Director and Head, Disease Control and Prevention Department of the Ghana Health Service, has said one death is recorded every six seconds due to tobacco use and exposure. Midwifery investment can save lives of millions of women Accra, June 7 – A United Nations report reveals that major deficits in midwifery workforce occur in 73 countries where these services are most desperately needed, and recommends new strategies to save millions of lives of women and newborns. Prayer camps appeal for mental health care support Edumfa (C/R) June 15 - Two prayer camps in the Central Region have appealed to the Government to assist their camps with infrastructure and nurses in order to improve mental health care delivery to patients under their care. Female human papillomavirus vaccination proves cost-effective Accra, June 30 – A human papillomavirus (HPV) study shows that vaccination of 58 million girls of 12 years in 179 countries prevented 690,000 cases of cervical cancer and 420,000 deaths during their lifetime at a cost of four billion dollars. Ghana cannot achieve MDGs target on health – Co-ordinator Sunyani, July 1 – Mr Gabriel Gbiel Benarkuu, National Campaign Co-ordinator of the Universal Healthcare Campaign (UHC), an advocacy group, has said the country could not achieve set targets for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for health. Ghana’s Exclusive Breastfeeding rates drops Accra , July 23 - Exclusive Breastfeeding rates dropped drastically from 63.7 per cent in 2008 to 46 per cent in 2011 according to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. NPP urges Government to salvage sinking NHIS Accra, Aug. 06 - The Minority Caucus in Parliament has appealed to the government to take urgent steps to prevent the imminent collapse of the National Health Insurance Scheme insisting that funds should be released immediately to salvage the fund. Copenhagen to Host Women Deliver 2016 Global Conference Accra, Aug 22 - The 2016 Women Deliver Global Conference would be held in Copenhagen, Denmark to strategize on how to make sure that investments in girls and women become a priority at the national and global levels. Wildlife Society expresses worry about increasing vulture threats Accra, Sept. 08 - The Ghana Wildlife Society has expressed worry about the alarming rate of extinction of vultures in Africa. Parents worry over teenage pregnancy Kwatire, (B/A), Sept. 19 – Uncontrolled teenage pregnancy at Kwatire and Adentia is a major problem of parents in the predominantly farming communities in the Sunyani West District, Mr Martin Gyan, Assemblyman for Kwatire, said on Friday. Ghana hosts TB health improvement programme Accra, Sept. 22 - The West Africa AIDS Foundation (WAAF) is advocating the involvement of Tuberculosis (TB) patients in matters that concern them and also strengthen the voices of African advocates to improve health and wellbeing across the continent. Prioritise reproductive rights in development agenda – Leaders New York, Sept. 27 - Global leaders have called for the prioritisation of sexual and reproductive health rights in the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Atwima-Mponua steps up fight against teenage pregnancy Nyinahin (Ash), Oct. 7 – The Atwima-Mponua District Health Directorate has intensified its efforts at bringing down the high incidence of teenage pregnancy through carefully-coordinated and targeted reproductive health education campaign. Food vendors must be screened - Doctor Accra, Oct. 14 – Reverend Dr Alex K. Appiah, President of GEWAH Group of Companies has called on district assemblies to organise health screening for food vendors in view of the wide spread communicable diseases in the country. EU issues Code Against Cancer Accra, Oct 14 – The European Union on Monday issued its Codes Against Cancer as part of efforts to create more public awareness on modes of cancer prevention. Don't delay implement of Mental Health Law Cape Coast, Oct. 20 - Dr Akwasi Osei, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Mental Health Authority (MHA), has asked for the urgent implementation of the Mental Health Law to improve mental health care delivery. Cholera outbreak is a national disgrace – Dr Nang-Beifubah Kumasi, Oct 20 – The Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Alexis Nang- Beifubah, has called for stronger national response to stop the recurring cholera outbreak, something, he said is “a national disgrace”. PSGH kicks against Ghana hosting AFCON 2015 Accra, Oct. 21 - The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has appealed to President John Mahama not to allow the country to host the African Cup of Nations tournament from January to February 2015due to the outbreak of the Ebola disease. Reducing maternal mortality, the collective responsibility Accra, Oct. 31 - Every year an estimated 3,040 Ghanaian mothers die while fulfilling their biological. SOURCE: GNA