A Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound at Dubila in the Bolgatanga East District of the Upper East Region has finally been completed after construction stalled for several years, leaving residents without the healthcare facility they had long awaited.
The facility, which was initiated in 2013 but abandoned due to funding constraints, has been completed under the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project.
It was commissioned alongside another CHPS compound at Pologu by the Bolgatanga East District Chief Executive (DCE), Jacob Abugre Aka-Eri, in collaboration with officials of the SOCO Project and the District Health Directorate.
The two facilities are expected to improve access to basic healthcare services, particularly for pregnant women, children, older persons and other vulnerable residents who previously had to travel to other communities for medical attention.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the SOCO Project Zonal Coordinator, Samuel Agyarko Larbi, said the completion of the Dubila facility demonstrated the importance of targeted development interventions in addressing longstanding infrastructure challenges.
He reaffirmed the project’s commitment to supporting community development initiatives that improve living conditions in beneficiary communities.
Mr Larbi urged residents of Dubila and Pologu to take ownership of the facilities and ensure their proper maintenance to guarantee their long-term benefits.
He also encouraged community members to cooperate with health professionals and support efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
The Bolgatanga East DCE, Jacob Abugre Aka-Eri, described the facilities as important additions to the district’s healthcare infrastructure.
He said the new compounds would bring essential medical services closer to residents and reduce the difficulties associated with travelling long distances to access basic healthcare.
Mr Aka-Eri urged residents to make effective use of the facilities and take responsibility for their maintenance.
He added that the compounds would support the government’s efforts to expand access to primary healthcare, including through the Free Primary Healthcare Initiative.
For her part, the Bolgatanga East District Director of Health Services, Maria Mahama, appealed to residents to patronise the facilities and seek medical attention promptly rather than waiting until their conditions became serious.
She said the compounds were expected to strengthen primary healthcare delivery by providing preventive services, maternal and child healthcare, health education, early disease detection and treatment of common illnesses.
Madam Mahama encouraged residents to cooperate with health personnel and participate actively in community health programmes to improve healthcare outcomes.
She also stressed the importance of protecting the facilities and supporting health workers to ensure effective service delivery.
The completion of the Dubila CHPS compound brings an end to years of delays since construction began in 2013.
With both facilities now commissioned, attention is expected to turn to ensuring adequate staffing, medical equipment and other essential resources to enable them to provide quality healthcare services to residents of Dubila, Pologu and surrounding communities.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Anaba Azubire | Bolgatanga East
