Residents of Kachiau in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region are set to benefit from improved access to healthcare following the release of GH¢74,510 by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa West, Mr Peter Lanchene Toobu, to complete the abandoned Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound in the community.
The amount, sourced from the MP’s Common Fund allocation, is expected to facilitate the completion of the health facility, whose construction began in 2016 under the then MP, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, but was abandoned before completion.
For years, the lack of a functional health facility has compelled residents, particularly pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and the aged, to travel to neighbouring communities, including Wechiau, to access healthcare services.
The situation becomes more difficult during the rainy season when poor road conditions make movement to health facilities challenging, exposing residents to avoidable health risks.
The Assembly Member for the Kandeu Electoral Area, Simon Yirinebe, expressed concern over the prolonged delay in the project’s implementation, describing it as a setback to healthcare delivery in the area.
He said the incomplete structures, including an unfinished toilet facility, had remained unused for years while residents continued to endure difficulties in accessing basic healthcare.
Speaking in a telephone interview with The Ghanaian Times yesterday, the Wa West District Chief Executive (DCE), Richard Wulo, confirmed that the District Assembly’s engineering team had commenced work on the project.
According to him, the works include the completion of a four-seater VIP toilet, extension of electricity to the facility through the installation of three electricity poles, and the execution of other outstanding infrastructural works.
Mr Wulo expressed confidence that the rehabilitation and completion works would be completed within a month, paving the way for the commissioning and operationalisation of the facility.
The completion of the CHPS compound is expected to improve access to primary healthcare services for residents of Kachiau and surrounding communities, while easing the burden of travelling long distances to seek medical care.
BY GORDON WELLU
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