Health authorities in the Ashanti Region are increasing access to maternal care services to reduce the high death rate of women in the region. Under a special scheme the region is to be divided into clusters where specialists clinics will be sited to serve local communities. Regional Director of Health, Dr. Aaron Offei, says the high maternal death rate in region threatens the country’s bid to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Two hundred and 50 women lost their lives through childbirth last year the Ashanti Region, an increase of 53 from the 2010 figure of 165. Most of the deaths occurred because the mothers reported late in emergency to the health facility. The development has necessitated the adoption of an effective strategy to deal with the serious situation. Dr. Offei spoke to Luv News at the commissioning of a 200 thousand cedi pharmacy block for Juaben Government Hospital. Under MDG Goal Five, Ghana targets, by 2015, to reduce maternal death rate from the current 380 per one thousand live births to 185 per one thousand. Dr Offei is hopeful the success of the programme would boost Ghana’s efforts towards achieving the target.