The Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Kwesi Twumasi, has expressed concern about high maternal and neo-natal deaths in the region. He described as unacceptable the 90 women who died last year during childbirth. Dr Twumasi was speaking at a health forum organised by the Coalition of NGOs on health in Tamale Wednesday. He attributed the high death rates to the refusal of pregnant women in the area to attend ante-natal and postnatal clinics. Another factor, according to the regional health director, is the poor road network which causes undue delay in conveying expectant mothers to the nearest health facility. He asked the NGOs to intensify awareness creation in the communities on the need for pregnant women to attend clinic during pregnancy and after delivery. Hajia Ajara Telly, chairperson of the coalition, said that the forum was aimed at improving quality health care delivery in the region. She said most women in the area were vulnerable; hence, the need to empower them to be able to enjoy their basic human rights, adding, that the coalition was collaborating with development partners to reach out to women in deprived areas to access antenatal and postnatal care. Source: Ghanaian Times