Health delivery improves in Upper East Region

Health delivery systems in Talensi, Nabdam and Garu-Tempane Districts in Upper East Region, are improving as a result of the implementation of the Community Health Watch Project, being piloted by the Presbyterian Health Service.

The project, being sponsored by the Strengthening, Transparency, Accountability, and Responsiveness (STAR-Ghana), a multi-donor pooled organisation, is forming Community Health Committees (CHCs) to empower the people to demand and hold health service providers accountable.

At a workshop to build the capacities of CHCs at Tongo Talensi District capital, Ms Rosemond Azure, Talensi and Nabdam District Director of Health said the project would check nurses who exhibit laziness and absent themselves from duty.

Mr Rudolf Abugnaba–Abanga, Policy Influencing, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the Presbyterian Health Service-North, said the CHCs have the responsibility to advocate  improve health services in their communities.

“It is worth mentioning that in barely six months of existence, the CHCs have started actively engaging stakeholders in health in their districts,” he said.

He listed communities that have engaged health providers as Sumaduri, Bulpelisi, Bugri, and Worikambo in the Garu–Temapne District, where the CHCs have ensured that nurses stay and render 24 hour services.

Mr Abugnaba-Abanga said at Woriyanga CHCs have discussed delays at the local clinic and health authorities have put in place strategies that has reduced waiting times and has improved services at the dispensary unit.

At Gorogo in the Talensi District the CHCs have also mobilised resources to roof part of their clinic, which was destroyed by rainstorm.

The project’s overall goal is to improve utilisation of health services, particularly Maternal Health Services, by encouraging local innovation through joint planning and monitoring of programmes between CHC and local health authorities.

Source: GNA