MP FOR ASUNAFO NORTH SUPPORTS HEALTH FACILITIES (PAGE 15, FEB 5, 2010)

THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Asunafo North Constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region, Mr Robert Sarfo-Mensah, has donated hospital equipment to seven health facilities in the Asunafo North Municipality, at a cost of GH¢ 20,000.
The beneficiary health facilities are Ampenkro, Akrodie, Ayomso, Wam, Mim, Fawohoyeden, Gyasikrom, as well as the Goaso Municipal Hospital, and the items included stethoscope, boxes of examination gloves, surgical gloves, clinical thermometers, baby hanging scale, glucometer, boxes of syringe and needles, delivery set, dressing set and haemoglobin scale.
The MP’s initiative to equip those health facilities followed regular visits and interactions with the leadership of the Municipal Health Directorate to know at first-hand the felt needs of those institutions.
Making the presentation at a brief ceremony at Goaso, Mr Sarfo-Mensah indicated that the shortage and complete absence of some basic health items at the facilities undermined the smooth operation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
He said it was in this vein that he sought financial assistance from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) after which he consulted the health authorities to purchase the items.
“It is pathetic to see our people visit the clinics, health centres and the hospitals which are without simple medical equipment to the detriment of their lives,” Mr Sarfo –Mensah noted.
Already, the MP disclosed that he had provided funds towards construction of a laundry at the Goaso Municipal Hospital which, he said, had been completed, and that the Ministry of Health (MoH) was to supply equipment for the smooth functioning of the block.
He commended the staff at the various health facilities in the municipality for their hard work in spite of the problems they were confronted with.
The Municipal Director of Health Services, Dr Kofi Asemayi-Mensah, who received the equipment, expressed profound appreciation to the MP for the gesture, saying that the items would facilitate the smooth health service delivery in the area.
He recounted a similar assistance provided by the MP for the extension of electricity to some Community Health Planning Services (CHPS) as well as provision of television sets to some Maternity Homes in the area.
The Asunafo North Municipal Co-ordinating Director, Alhaji Haruna A. Salam, called for an effective collaboration between the municipal council and the MP towards effective development of the municipality.