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The Kumasi Metropolitan Health Directorate has introduced market clinics as part of measures to effectively manage growing lifestyle diseases, particularly hypertension and diabetes.

Dr. Kwasi Yeboah-Awudzi, Health Director, said they would not wait in the hospitals for the patients but visit them at their workplaces to aid them to properly manage their conditions.

He said for a start they were targeting the Bantama and the Central Markets.

He announced this at an annual health performance review meeting of the directorate held in Kumasi on Thursday.

Dr. Yeboah-Awudzi spoke of plans to re-activate its epidemic preparedness committee alongside the intensification of hepatitis “B” screening.

They would also step up monthly reports validation and do follow- ups on referral cases to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).

The Metropolitan Health Director told the meeting that despite the challenges with funding, transport and logistics, they were making headway in a number of areas.

These included bringing down maternal deaths and expansion of immunization coverage.

He said maternal deaths for example, climbed down to 122 last year, from the 2013 total of 137.

Again, through strong partnership with the private sector, they were able to substantially reduce deaths among children caused by severe malnourishment and significantly improved sanitation.

The other high point, he said was the installation of a blood bank fridge at the laboratory of the KMA health facility.

Dr. Yeboah-Awudzi said they were currently engaged with series of projects, among them were the expansion of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Clinic at the Suntreso Hospital , construction of a health post at the Bantama Market, maternity ward, family planning block and Ear, Nose and Dental block, all at the Tafo Government Hospital.

Nana Ampofo Kyei Baffour, the Asemhene, who chaired the meeting, urged the health staff to uphold professional ethics and work with dedication to bring relief to the sick.