The Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District in Ghana's Upper West Region has seen a significant improvement in healthcare delivery and water access following a series of interventions worth over GH¢300,000.
The interventions, led by the District Chief Executive (DCE), James Wor, included the renovation of a medical doctor's bungalow, procurement of 10 modern delivery beds, and the commissioning of 19 new water projects across the district.
Before the renovation, the bungalow had deteriorated to such an extent that Dr. Langmagne was forced to commute over 80 kilometres daily from Wa to Issa, a situation that often affected emergency healthcare delivery.
The Paramount Chief of Issa, represented by his spokesperson Naa Bismark Bietuari Kulbile Naa, pledged the traditional council's support in maintaining the renovated facilities through regular community clean-up exercises.
Mr. Wor announced that the Assembly would complete two community-initiated maternity wards in Sazie and Wogu that had remained abandoned for more than a decade. He also announced that construction of a long-awaited CHPS compound at Issa Sintaayiri would begin within the next three weeks.
Beyond healthcare, the Assembly officially handed over 19 newly constructed boreholes to communities to address longstanding water shortages. The projects comprise six hand-pump boreholes and 13 mechanised boreholes funded through the District Assembly Common Fund.
The boreholes will ensure reliable access to clean drinking water across the district, an initiative that Mr. Wor said was aimed at addressing the longstanding water shortages in the area. He also disclosed that the Assembly had to divert funds to rehabilitate three CHPS compounds and one health centre after the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) threatened to withdraw accreditation because of their deteriorating condition.
Dr. Langmagne expressed her gratitude to the Assembly for the interventions, saying that they would directly improve maternal healthcare and reduce preventable deaths. She also appealed to the Assembly and other stakeholders to provide the district with a functioning vehicle to support emergency healthcare delivery.
The interventions are expected to significantly improve maternal healthcare, emergency medical services, and access to potable water in communities across the Upper West Region. With these improvements, the district is likely to see a reduction in preventable deaths and an increase in the quality of life for its residents.
The District Director of Health Services, Genevieve Yiripare, noted that the interventions would address the existing challenges in healthcare delivery in the district, including the lack of delivery beds and the reliance on broken equipment. She also acknowledged the efforts of the DCE and the Assembly in ensuring that the healthcare needs of the district are met.
The Assembly's efforts to improve healthcare delivery and water access in the district are likely to have a positive impact on the health and well-being of its residents. With these interventions, the district is taking a significant step towards achieving its development goals and improving the quality of life for its citizens.
The Upper West Region, which includes the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District, has faced challenges in terms of healthcare and water access. The region has a high burden of disease, including maternal and child mortality, and has struggled to access clean water. The Assembly's interventions are likely to address some of these challenges and improve the health and well-being of the region's residents.
The Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District's efforts to improve healthcare delivery and water access are part of a broader initiative to develop the Upper West Region. The region has a rich cultural heritage and is home to several traditional communities. The Assembly's interventions are likely to have a positive impact on the region's development and improve the quality of life for its residents.