Residents and health workers at the Dachio Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound in the Bolgatanga East District have appealed to individuals, groups, and organisations to support the completion of a self-initiated maternity and child welfare block to improve maternal and child healthcare delivery.
Ms Ramatu Halutie Ahmed, Katanga Sub-district Leader of the Ghana Health Service, and Mr Lawrence Akurigo, Chairman of the Community Health Management Committee, appealed during a presentation of medical equipment donated by Alagumgube USA, a diaspora group based in the United States.
The maternity block and weighing centre, initiated by the community through its health committee in 2025 with funds from individual contributions, has stalled due to a lack of funds.
Parts of the structure are at the lintel level, while other sections remain at the foundation level.
Ms Ahmed said the existing maternity and labour room was extremely small and inadequate for safe and dignified delivery of maternal health services.
“If you see the labour room and they tell you that it is the labour room, you won’t believe it. It is too small even for the midwife to stand and conduct delivery, but we are managing because we have no option,” she said.
She explained that the new block was intended to address space constraints and serve as an antenatal care and child welfare centre, providing shelter for mothers and children, especially during adverse weather conditions.
“Currently, we weigh children under a tree. When it is raining, mothers are discouraged from bringing their children. We need a decent place where mothers can comfortably access services,” she added.
Ms Ahmed called on benevolent individuals, diaspora groups, and development partners to support the completion of the maternity and weighing centre, stressing that even modest contributions could make a significant difference.
“All we need is for someone to help us complete the building. It can be an individual or a group. With that support, maternal and child healthcare delivery in this community will greatly improve,” she said.
She further highlighted accommodation challenges for staff, noting that service delivery areas were currently combined with residential spaces, compromising privacy and quality of care.
“Sometimes a client comes when you are cooking, and the aroma fills the consulting room. Ideally, accommodation should be separated from service delivery areas to ensure professionalism and comfort for clients,” she said.
Ms Ahmed also appealed for the establishment of a standard laboratory in the district, noting that pregnant women were often referred to Bolgatanga Municipality for basic investigations due to the absence of laboratory services in Bolgatanga East.
“All pregnant women are referred tothe Bolgatanga Municipal for investigations. We do not know their haemoglobin levels or other basic indicators, and this is a major challenge for us,” she said.
Mr Akurigo, on his part, urged residents and stakeholders to continue supporting the project to ensure its completion and improve maternal and child health outcomes in the community.
