The Member of Parliament for Mfantseman, Dr Ebenezer Prince Kojo Arhin, has successfully resolved the water crisis that had plagued the Saltpond Municipal Hospital for nearly nine months. The hospital, which is the second oldest in Ghana and serves as the main referral centre for Mfantseman, had been operating without running water due to a breakdown at the Baifikrom Water Works. This situation posed serious Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) risks, with theatre and maternity services relying on sachet water purchased from outside.
According to Dr Arhin, the crisis was caused by heavy siltation of the river source feeding the Baifikrom Water Works and an old, weak pumping machine that could not supply Saltpond. The situation was dire, with nurses having to ask women in labour to buy sachet water from outside to conduct deliveries and for theatre. Dr Arhin described the situation as a serious IPC risk and linked it to a cholera outbreak in parts of Nankesido and Ankaful.
The problem persisted despite an estimate to dredge the river and replace the old pump being prepared in 2021. However, the project was abandoned due to cost, with no development partner willing to support it. After the 2024 elections, Dr Arhin prioritised the issue and lobbied the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Charities) after presenting data on the health implications.
Dr Arhin's intervention was in two parts. For the municipality, the river source was dredged and a new heavy-duty pumping machine was procured and installed at Baifikrom to restore supply to the entire grid. For the hospital, a mechanized borehole fitted with a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system was installed to treat the saline water in Saltpond into WHO-standard drinking water.
The intervention has seen two large overhead storage tanks and a standpipe extension provided as a permanent backup at the hospital. This has ended the era of nurses using sachet water to deliver babies, ended huge expenditure on water tankers and drastically reduced infection risk in theatre and maternity. The MP stated that his office was committed to using the success story to lobby for support to build a modern municipal hospital to replace the 1920 structure.
The Medical Superintendent of the Saltpond Government Hospital, Dr John Moses Wereku, disclosed that about two years ago, the hospital spent more than GH₵50,000 to get water for staff and patients when there was an outbreak of Cholera. Dr Wereku praised Dr Arhin for his timely intervention that has ended the serious water crisis that has bedeviled the hospital for far too long.
The restoration of 24-hour running water supply to the hospital has brought relief to patients, staff, and the community. The MP's efforts have demonstrated the importance of effective leadership and collaboration in addressing critical infrastructure challenges. The success of this project is expected to have a positive impact on healthcare delivery in the region.
Key points
- Dr Ebenezer Prince Kojo Arhin resolved the 9-month water crisis at Saltpond Municipal Hospital.
- The crisis was caused by heavy siltation of the river source and an old pumping machine.
- The intervention included dredging the river, installing a new pumping machine, and providing a mechanized borehole with a Reverse Osmosis system.
