The chiefs and people of Kpala, an island community in the Kwahu Afram Plains North District of the Eastern Region, have appealed for support to complete a health centre in the area.
The Ghana News Agency (GNA) gathered that the Freedom Islands Right and Social Transformation (FIRST), a non-governmental organization (NGO) operating in the area, initiated the project almost a decade ago. With support from community members, construction began.
However, work on the project, which had reached the roofing level, was abandoned and left at the mercy of the weather due to a lack of funds to complete it.
Residents of the fishing community told the GNA that they face severe barriers in accessing basic healthcare, as the nearest health facility is several kilometers away and only accessible by boat or canoe. This makes emergency healthcare, particularly maternal and child health services, virtually inaccessible, thereby increasing the vulnerabilities of pregnant women and children.
According to Mr. Jubilee Benson Sedoameda, the Executive Director of FIRST and a former Assembly Member of the area, cases of maternal deaths, birth complications, and child mortality are very high due to delays in seeking timely medical care.
“We started the health centre with community contributions, molded the blocks ourselves, and have so far spent about GHS155,000 on it,” he stated, adding, “We need help urgently because our women and children are dying needless deaths, and it seems we are forgotten.”
Mr. Sedoameda noted that, although the project remains uncompleted, the community has managed to use some of the rooms for medical attention. However, he added that it lacks medical equipment, furniture, and a reliable water supply.
He expressed regret that health workers and nurses are unwilling to accept postings to the community due to poor infrastructure and living conditions, noting that preventable diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, and respiratory infections are common.
“Pregnant women are even forced to deliver their babies without the assistance of a skilled nurse,” he stated.
The situation underscores a broader national concern as Ghana strives to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which focuses on good health and well-being.
Checks show that, while the Kwahu Afram Plains North District Directorate of Health is making strides in reducing maternal and child mortality rates, the situation in Kpala requires urgent attention.
Poor access to healthcare perpetuates the cycle of poverty in Kpala, as frequent illness reduces productivity among fisherfolk.
“With a good health centre, we can save lives and restore hope to vulnerable people,” Mr. Douglas Boateng, a nurse in charge of the area, told the GNA, adding, “We’ve come this far and just need support to finish what the community has started.”
Source: GNA
