Residents of Mfanteman, a farming community in the Bia West District of the Western North Region, are appealing for urgent intervention to improve the poor state of their Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound.
With an estimated population of about 2,000 people, the community’s only health facility is in a deplorable condition, hindering access to quality healthcare. The current CHPS compound, which serves as the main point of healthcare delivery, is in dire need of renovation.
The building has no ceiling, causing excessive heat to penetrate the wards. In addition, insects freely enter the facility, posing risks to patients and health workers. The facility has only three rooms — one used for storing medical supplies, another serving as a labour room for deliveries, and the third functioning as a general ward where men, women, and children are all detained together.
Due to inadequate space, the ward often becomes overcrowded, forcing some patients to lie on the floor to receive treatment. Health workers sometimes discharge mildly stable patients prematurely to create space for more critical cases.
Residents are therefore pleading with the government, particularly the Bia West District Assembly and the Ministry of Health, to come to their aid and provide a modern facility to ensure proper healthcare delivery.
The Assembly Member for Elluo Krom Electoral Area, Louis Afful, confirmed that he is aware of the situation and has already written to the Bia West District Assembly seeking assistance. He also noted that he has informed the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh about the situation and is preparing to mobilize community leaders to follow up for support.
According to Mr. Afful, a new facility initially started by Mondelez International, a non-governmental organization, remains incomplete. To encourage progress, he has donated ten bags of cement to help the community finish the project temporarily while awaiting further support.
He appealed to individuals, NGOs, and philanthropists to support the community in providing quality healthcare infrastructure for the people of Mfanteman.
