A new Community-base Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound, established at a cost of GH₵496,284.14 at Bolni in the Nanumba North Municipality has been inaugurated to improve health service delivery for residents of the area.
The facility consists of an Out-Patient Department (OPD), wards, Nurses quarters for health professionals and pharmacy, among others.
Funded by the Japan Embassy in Ghana, the facility was developed under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGHSP) being implemented by the government of Japan to promote human security through improvement of health, economic and social wellbeing of people.
Speaking at the event on Tuesday, Sonoda Shohei, first Secretary of the Japan Embassy in Ghana, said the facility was expected to increase access to health services to more than 14,000 residents, mostly women and children in the area.
He noted that additionally, the facility would serve as an attraction for qualified health professionals to accept postings to the area, and enhance the economic wellbeing of the community.
Over the years, he explained that the Japanese government had been providing assistance through the GGHSP to enable access to basic services and empower residents of deprived communities.
“Access to basic healthcare is critical for realising a world where everyone lives in dignity, and Japan, through the GGHSP, has contributed immensely to improving basic healthcare coverage in Ghana,” Mr Shohei stated.
He said the goal of providing quality healthcare would be compromised if the stakeholders did not commit to long term maintenance of the facility, and urged the Assembly to liaise with the community to implement an effective maintenance plan.
He further appealed to the Assembly to provide a mechanised borehole to the facility to ensure sustainable supply of water.
Mr Abdulai Yaquob, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Nanumba North, welcomed the continuous support and co-operation between the Municipality and the Japanese Embassy in Ghana
He reiterated the importance of quality healthcare to national development saying that “a healthier workforce will lead to higher productivity.”
He said although access to quality healthcare remained a challenge in the Municipality, the government and Assembly was working together with development partners to provide the needed infrastructure and ensure the realisation of goal five of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In this regard, Mr Yaquob noted that the Assembly, last year, constructed two new CHPS Compounds at two different communities to enable the residents’ access healthcare.
He urged the Bolni community to own the facility and maintain it for the good of all the residents.
Chief of Bolni, Ubor Kamonaa Lafia, expressed gratitude to the Japanese Embassy for their support given to the community, and pledged to work with the Assembly to effectively maintain the facility.
As a growing community, he said it was satisfying that Bolni had been recognised to receive development support in addressing their challenges.
He asked the Assembly to develop the road network that connect all adjoining communities of Bolni and equip the facility with the needed equipment.
FROM CLAUDE NYARKO ADAMS, BOLNI
