People of Eguafo travel 4km to access basic healthcare; appeal for CHPS compound

Residents of Eguafo in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem District of the Central Region requiring basic healthcare always have to travel four kilometers to be able to obtain medical services. The situation has compelled the people of the town to initiate a self-help project to turn a community centre into a health centre as the district assembly has turned deaf ear to their several appeals over the years. They have however hit a snag due to inadequate funding. Consequently, the people of the town have appealed to the government to come to their aid by establishing a Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound for them. A mother of three, Aba Nyamewotum told 3news.com she went into labour one night and nearly lost her life. “There was no car to take me to the nearest health facility so I went through immense pain without prompt medical attention. I ended up at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital with complications,” she recalled. According to a community leader, Kobina Egyirba, funds raised to convert the structure into a befitting health centre was woefully inadequate. “The proceeds we had from our festival last year is what we used in renovating the community centre structure but we have run out of funds now,” he added. He claimed several appeals to the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem District Assembly have not been successful. Meanwhile, the Assembly says it is not aware of the situation at Eguafo but could not also give any indication or plan to assist the people to get a health facility. Until a health facility is constructed for the people of the town, they will continue to journey four kilometres in pain anytime they may require medical attention. Clearly, the situation is likely to impact Ghana’s efforts at achieving Goal three of the UN Sustainable Development Goals on achieving universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services among others by 2030. By Adwoa Adobea-Owusu|3news.com|Ghana]]>