Pregnant women in labour at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital stand the risk of life-threatening complications as the facility has ran out of magnesium sulphate - an essential drug for stabilizing pre-eclampsia: a rare but severe condition that causes seizures during pregnancy

Joy News sources at the facility have revealed to Joy News' Fred Smith, a shortage of magnesium sulphate.

This complication is caused by high blood pressure and increased protein in the urine causing swelling of the legs and feet, leading to seizures if not immediately treated. The shortage of magnesium sulphate drug means women with this condition at the facility risk death.

Board Chairman of Korle Bu Eddie Annan would not confirm a shortage, but says most of the shortage cases are usually fabricated by staff.

Women with pregnancy-related complications are transferred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital because of the availability of specialists and state-of-art equipment for safe delivery.

The department serves mainly as a referral centre for the southern part of the country with a population of more than 10 million.