The Sahakpalgu community in the Nanton District of Ghana's Northern Region is facing a significant healthcare challenge due to the lack of a proper health facility. Health workers have been forced to weigh babies under a neem tree, exposing them to harsh weather conditions and potential health risks. The makeshift arrangement has raised concerns about the safety and comfort of infants during routine healthcare delivery.
The existing health facility, originally constructed as teachers' accommodation, has deteriorated over time, with parts of its roof leaking whenever it rains. The facility lacks essential equipment, including a refrigerator for storing vaccines, which are instead kept at the Gumani Health Centre. This arrangement creates logistical challenges for health workers and complicates vaccine storage and delivery.
The community lacks a midwife, compelling pregnant women to travel long distances for healthcare, particularly during labour. Residents have expressed concerns about the deplorable state of the health facility, which is impeding healthcare delivery in the community. A resident, Sulemana Abidatu, shared her experience of being referred to the Kamina Health Centre to deliver her baby due to the lack of a midwife in Sahakpalgu.
The uncompleted CHPS compound, intended to serve the community, has stalled for many years, forcing residents to depend on temporary facilities for healthcare. Residents, including breastfeeding mother Yakubu Ayisha, have appealed for the urgent completion of the abandoned facility and the construction of new ones to enhance healthcare delivery in the area.
The Secretary to the Chief of Sahakpalgu, Mohammed Hamis Sulemana, emphasized that completing and equipping the CHPS compound would improve access to essential maternal and child healthcare services. He noted that although the community lacked other basic amenities, completing the health facility was its top priority.
The Assembly Member for the area, Uriah Sayibu, said the situation had placed an additional burden on residents who had to travel outside the community for healthcare. He appealed to the District Assembly, individuals, philanthropists, and non-governmental organizations to support the community in completing and equipping the facility.
The District Chief Executive for Nanton, Rosina Zenabu Abdul-Rahaman, acknowledged that the CHPS compound remained incomplete and attributed the delay to the contractor. She assured that funds for the project were available and would be paid to the contractor upon completion of the work, warning that the contract would be re-awarded if not completed within a week.
Key points
- The Sahakpalgu community lacks a proper health facility, forcing health workers to use makeshift arrangements, including weighing babies under a neem tree.
- The community has appealed for the completion of the stalled CHPS compound and the construction of new healthcare facilities to enhance healthcare delivery.
- The District Chief Executive has assured that funds are available to complete the project, but warned of re-awarding the contract if the contractor fails to complete the work within a week.
