First Lady Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo has inaugurated a Community-based Health Planning Services (CHPS) compound for residents of Gboloo Kofi in the Akuapem North constituency of the Eastern Region.

The facility, constructed with funding from the First Lady’s own Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation (IMPF), is to promote access to quality and equitable healthcare delivery to the people.

It forms part of efforts to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) in the country.

The facility is fitted with an out-patient department, a labour ward, laboratory, pharmacy and consulting rooms, and expected to serve about 30,000 inhabitants within the sub-district.

The inauguration of the health facility was witnessed by traditional rulers, health officials within the regional and district directorate, development partners, and some New Patriotic Party faithful.

Mrs Akufo-Addo said the idea to construct a CHPS compound for Gboloo Kofi was to improve general health outcomes at the primary level of care.

“Some few years ago, we (Infanta Malaria Foundation) decided to invest in CHPS to improve health outcomes especially for women and children,” she said, adding that “It is also to specifically meet our objective of reducing malaria prevalence and deaths, especially for pregnant women and children as means of achieving the UHC goal.”

Mrs Akufo-Addo expressed confidence that the CHPS would assist in easing the pressure on the three existing health centres that served the entire sub-district.

“As we are all aware, CHPS compounds promote access to quality and equitable healthcare services to all Ghanaians, particularly those in rural and deprived communities, and the Gboloo Kofi CHPS will ease the pressure on the three centres that serves the over 30,000 residents of this area, which creates pressure on these health facilities, limiting care for many women and children.”

The First Lady urged management of the health directorate and staff to take good care of the facility and its equipment, and appealed to the residents to also patronize the services provided at the centre.

Mr Sammi Awuku, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the area, pledged to further complement the efforts of the First Lady and her foundation by ensuring 24-hour security as well as internet access at the facility to facilitate service delivery.

“When I become the MP for this area, it is on my heart to institute an award scheme for health workers who work in rural areas like Gboloo Kofi to motivate them.

“With support from our flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, we will continue the good works of President Akufo-Addo to make life more comfortable for Ghanaians,” he stated.

Nene Teye Gboloo III, Odikro of Gboloo Kofi expressed gratitude to the First Lady and the IMPF, emphasising the importance of the centre towards advancing healthcare in the area.