Tema to intensify CHPS concept

Tema, Jan. 22, GNA - The Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate (TMHD) would this year, strengthen the local Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) to intensify the public health drive in the Tema Metropolis.The CHPS concept, which was already operational in some communities, would be extended to all the 32 electoral areas, to facilitate the deployment of health workers throughout the Metropolis.Dr John Yabani, Tema Metropolitan Health Director, was addressing the Directorate’s 2013 Annual Performance Review Conference on Wednesday which was attended by 100 health professionals.He said each electoral area would be assigned two nurses to deliver health services to the people at their doorstep.According to him, the nurses would operate on house to house basis during which they would educate residents on the importance of practicing good personal and environmental hygiene.The Health Director indicated that the nurses would also be the first point of call on health issues in the community after which patients with serious issues would be referred to the nearest hospital.Dr Yabani added that those referred to the hospital by the Community Nurses, would be given special treatment by the doctors.He advised the various health facilities in the Metropolis to do follow ups on cases they refer to other hospitals to monitor the condition of the patient.Dr Yabani called on stakeholders, especially, chiefs and opinion leaders in the community to encourage patients in their locality to consult the nurses on their health problems.He said health coverage last year was very high and called on stakeholders to help bring in more ambulances to reduce preventable deaths.In a presentation at the conference, Madam Vida Eyram Degbor, Tema Metropolitan Births and Deaths Registrar, said in 2013, her outfit registered a total of 18,208 births, which comprised of 9,841 males and 8,367 females.Madam Degbor added that a total of 2,381 deaths consisting of 1,363 males and 1,018 females were also registered.GNA Read Full Story