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A total of 15 infant deaths and four maternal mortality cases were recorded in three communities near Awutu Bawjiase during the last six months. The communities are Awutu Adawukwa, Akuful-Krodua and Homi in the Bawjiase area. Mr Dziwomu Gagla, Chief Medical Assistant in charge of Bawjiase Health Centre, made this known at a durbar organized by his outfit at the weekend. It was organised in collaboration with Youth as a Mission Development Association (YAAMDA), a non-governmental organization based in Awutu-Senya District at Awutu Adawukwa on Friday. It was aimed at sensitizing the people in the area on maternal and reproductive health issues and was attended by traditional authorities and assembly members from the area. Mr Gagla said his visit to the community revealed that the people had not been sensitized enough on the National Health Insurance Scheme and free delivery system. This, he said, had made it impossible for most people in the area, especially pregnant women, to seek medical attention due to financial difficulties. He appealed to the officials of the Health Insurance Scheme in the district and assembly members to intensify their education on the importance of NHIS to enable the people to benefit from it. Mr Gagla advised them to avoid "self-medication" and desist from indiscriminate use of herbs to prevent the risk of getting cancer and other chronic diseases. He advised pregnant women to attend ante-natal clinic regularly to ensure safe delivery. Mr Daniel Barkah, Chief Executive Officer of YAAMDA, appealed to drivers in the area not to hesitate to send pregnant women to the health centres during the night. He called on the chiefs to release land for the construction of a health care centre in Adawukwa to prevent the people from travelling long distances to access health care.