Member of Parliament for Keta Kwame Gakpey has urged the Ministry of Health to investigate and punish officials of various public hospitals charging pregnant women unapproved fees.

Speaking to JoyNews, Monday, he stated that the practice uncovered in a Corruption Watch documentary 'Pay or Die' is unacceptable, hence the need to probe further and halt the extortion of money from pregnant women.

"I think with this revelation, government should move swiftly, especially, the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, to these facilities and actually do an internal investigation and use internal processes to punish the perpetrators."

Despite the provisions of the National Health Insurance Scheme, (NHIS) Act which allows pregnant women to receive free maternal care, some staff of the 37 Military Hospital, Mamprobi Hospital, and Maamobi General Hospital are captured in the 30-minute video charging them fees.

The issue is even murkier when holders of the National Insurance Health Card are told to make deposits before service is rendered.

Some of the pregnant women, who could not afford the cost, were left with no option than to go on borrowing spree or face death.

Reacting to the shocking details of a Corruption Watch documentary, Mr Gakpey noted that the ongoing menace in the health sector is appalling and can contribute to the increasing number of mortality rate in pregnant women.

He further prayed all stakeholders to take immediate action to curb the illegal practice occurring in the health sector