The Municipal Health Director for the Ghana Health Service in the Bolgatanga Municipality, Alhassan Lawal, has raised concerns over the lack of permanent infrastructure for several Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds within the municipality.
Speaking on the BlueWaves Breakfast Show on BlueWaves Radio 93.7 FM, Mr. Lawal disclosed that 21 CHPS compounds under the Bolgatanga Municipal Health Directorate are currently operating without permanent structures, a situation he described as a major challenge affecting healthcare delivery in the area.
According to him, many of these health facilities are operating from temporary structures, rented spaces, or improvised buildings, which makes it difficult for health workers to provide comprehensive and efficient services to community members.
Mr. Lawal lamented that the situation is putting pressure on the healthcare system in the municipality and affecting the working conditions of health personnel who are striving to deliver quality primary healthcare services to residents.
He explained that the CHPS concept, introduced by the Ghana Health Service, is designed to bring basic healthcare services closer to communities, especially in rural and underserved areas. However, the absence of permanent facilities for several CHPS compounds undermines the effectiveness of the initiative.
The Municipal Health Director therefore appealed to the government, development partners, non-governmental organizations, and philanthropists to support the construction of permanent CHPS compounds to improve healthcare delivery in the municipality.
He emphasized that investing in CHPS infrastructure would not only strengthen the local healthcare system but also ensure that residents have timely access to essential health services, including maternal and child healthcare, disease prevention, and health education.
Mr. Lawal further noted that addressing the infrastructure gap would significantly enhance the ability of healthcare workers to serve communities effectively and improve overall public health outcomes in the Upper East Region.
The Bolgatanga Municipal Health Directorate continues to advocate for increased investment in community-level healthcare infrastructure as part of broader efforts to strengthen the health system and expand access to quality healthcare across the municipality.
Source: BlueWaves Radio 93.7 FM/Maurice Duncan
