Residents of Ntonsua and its surrounding communities in the Obuasi Municipality will no longer walk more than five kilometres to access basic health care services which defy international healthcare standards.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), nobody should travel more than five kilometres to access basic health services.

Now a fully equipped Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound has been completed and handed over to the chiefs and people of Ntonsua in the Binsere electoral area of the Obuasi Municipality.

The health facility is expected to serve the people of Ntonsua and nearby communities like New Dokyiwaa.

The move is to reduce the pressure on the Obuasi Government Hospital which is becoming visible on the facility and equipment there.

Photo: Obuasi MCE, Elijah Adansi Bonah

At a short ceremony, Obuasi MCE, Elijah Adansi Bonah, admonished the people to "own the facility. Please help maintain the facility for the benefit of future generations.“

The Municipal Health Director, Dr. David Amankwaa said the facility was timely.

“The CHPS compound is a welcome relief for the people of Ntonsua and its environs who travel several kilometres to seek for health care.”

He assured the people that equipment and drugs are available at the health facility and health personnel have also been posted there to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare services to the people.

Dr. Amankwaa again appealed to the people to warmly welcome the health personnel to the community and extend the necessary support and cooperation to them.

Various speakers including the Obaapanin of Ntonsua, Nana Afia Sarfowaa, Assemblyman for the area, Amadu Amidu and the Municipal Works Engineer, Mr Stephen Tecku reiterated the need for proper maintenance.

The Ntonsua CHPS compound was financed through the Urban Development Grant (UDG) and was started on March 16, 2017, and completed on June 5, 2018.

The facility has two bedrooms with inbuilt washrooms, kitchen, hall, Out-Patient Department (OPD), Labour ward/laying-in, Consulting room, general ward, Records and dispensary.

Meanwhile, the assembly to intensify security is working in tandem with other nearby districts to beef up security in Ntonsua and surrounding communities which have become a haven for armed robbers in recent times.