The Korean Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) Ghana’s funded maternal block has been commissioned for the chiefs and people of Alavanyo-Wudidi, in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region.
The six-bed health facility has an out-patient unit and other ancillary facilities. The cost of the construction and equipment was GHC950,000. The facility was a support from the government of the Republic of Korean’s in delivering quality health care in Ghana. Dr Chrysantus Kubio, Volta Regional Director of Health has said the KOFIH support is making Primary Health Care (PHC) to become the bedrock of healthcare delivery infrastructure, especially in rural settings of the country.
He said primary health care remained a crucial part of the foundation on which a healthier country is built and commended the partnership. He said KOFIH’s maternal and child health project in the Region has improved access to quality healthcare, enhanced services, training of providers and health education within communities especially in areas of limited access.
“In fact, KOFIH’s support has been instrumental in reducing maternal mortality and infant mortality ratios.” He said the country’s quest to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) remains unwavering, where no woman dies at delivery or after. Dr Kubio commended KOFIH for the long-standing partnership and unwavering support and expressed gratitude to the Regional Coordinating Council, Traditional authorities, Ghana Health Service for their collective support to the sector.
Mr. Boming Yang, Country Representative of KOFIH said KOFIH’s activities were mostly in the areas of the provision of health infrastructure, including the building and equipping health centres, rehabilitation of health facilities, and promotion of maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) particularly in rural areas. He said since KOFIH was ten years old in Ghana, it was an indication of the growing relationship between the two countries and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ghana’s healthcare system and strengthening collaborative efforts for sustainable health solutions.
He said his government through KOFIH had spent US$32 million on promotion of quality healthcare delivery in Ghana, as part of bilateral relationship between the governments of Ghana and Korea and promised that his government would continue to assist in the promotion of quality health delivery.
Mr. Worlanyo Tsekpo, Member of Parliament of Hohoe Constituency, in a remark, paid glowing tribute to hard working health workers in the municipality in spite of myriads of challenges including inadequate facilities that have bedeviled the sector. He called for a major facelift of the Regional Hospital in Hohoe, which he described as not fit for purpose and pledged to bring the Health Minister to familiarise with the situation for a quick fix.
He said the campaign promise to elevate the Adabraka Health Centre to a polyclinic still stands with the traditional authority, which he said was eager to release land for the expansion and make available 1,000 cement blocks. “If I cannot deal with the health challenges in the Constituency, he has failed as MP, and President John Mahama has equally failed,” upbeat about resetting the sector for quality healthcare delivery across board.
Mr. Adams Agbeko, Volta Regional Coordinator of KOFIH, disclosed to the Ghana News Agency that between 2019 to date, a total of 28 healthcare facilities were delivered across the Region. Representatives of Chiefs and Queens thanked KOFIH for extending their generosity to the community. He asked for more facilities and pledged a culture of maintenance to prolong the lifespan of the facility to benefit generations.
The KOFIH funded the remodeling of modern Networks of Practice (NoP) Hub, renovated health centres, provided essential medical equipment, including ultrasound machines, delivery beds, laboratory equipment and invested in capacity building of health staffers, in a bid to strengthen healthcare delivery at the grassroots levels.
Source: GNA
