The Catholic Relief Service (CRS), an International non-governmental organisation on Friday presented a number of items to the Talensi Nabdam and Kassena-Nankana District health directorates in the Upper East Region to facilitate their work.

The items, which comprised two motorbikes, 24 bicycles, 26 raincoats and 26 Wellington boots, are meant for health supervising field agents and volunteers as well as Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs).

It was meant to improve on their work under a health programme dubbed: "Community Initiative on Maternal, Child and Newborn Survival (CIMACS)." The three- year CIMACS programme being implemented by CRS and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the two districts is aimed at contributing to the reduction of maternal and child mortality and morbidity. The Talensi-Nabdam District Director of GHS, Mrs Rosemond Azure said the project had improved on skill delivery coverage in the beneficiary districts.

She in Talensi Nabdam skills improvement rose from 34 per cent in 2008 to 45 per cent in 2009. Mrs Azure said six more communities have been added to the five that were covered previously, with a target of 60 per cent skilled delivery by the end of 2010.

She explained that under the project, CRS trained health staff, TBAs and CIMACS volunteers who ensure that pregnant women deliver in health facilities that are safer than private homes. Under the programme, pregnant women are being organised in groups where health personnel meet with them periodically to talk about their health needs.

Mrs Azure noted that last year CRS provided equipment including weighing machines, stethoscope, surgical gloves, cotton wool, detergents and sphygmomanometers among other items to 13 health facilities in the two districts.

She said a number of boreholes have been provided in some of the communities and through the Saving and Internal Lending Communities Methodology Programme, women who deliver safely and are facing financial problems are given loans to support themselves.

The Head of Programmes of CRS in charge of Northern Region, Mr. Daniel Ayugane said GH¢570,060 had so far been spent on the project which is in its second year and would run for three years. The Regional Director of GHS, Dr Koku Awoonor-Williams commended CRS for complementing the efforts of the service in reducing maternal mortality in the area.