Baobab Medical Centre inaugurated at Biriwa

Biriwa (CR), Oct 20, GNA - A clinic known as the Baobab Medical Centre has been inaugurated at Biriwa in the Central Region. The Mfantseman District Assembly provided the building and Amicus Onlus International; an Italian Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) supplied four volunteer medical doctors, equipment and drugs. The clinic, which was named after Baobob Academy of Italy, which trained the medical personnel and provided funds to Amicus Onlus for the project, has three consulting rooms; would offer only out patient health care free of charge.

The ceremony coincided with the Okyir Festival of the Chiefs and people of the area.

Mr Akumba Ben Asomaning, Country Representative of Amicus Onlus said the NGO worked in the areas of capacity building and health. He said it offered youth skill acquisition and managerial training for people to perform effectively in their various fields. Mr Asamaning said the organisation would provide seed capital for its trainees to start their own businesses since lack of funds rendered the youth with skill training unproductive.

He said in 2003, the NGO sent 18 medical doctors from Italy to offer free medical services, adding that, currently there were some personnel offering health care services in Breman Asikuma, Brakwa and Odoben areas.

Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur, Mfantseman District Chief Executive, expressed gratitude to the NGO for supporting the0 National Health Insurance Scheme and making quality health care accessible for the people.

He advised the youth to take advantage of the skill training being offered by the organisation to become self-supporting. The DCE urged the chiefs and the people to support the Centre by providing communal labour to keep the place clean at all times and to ensure regular maintenance.

Mr Frank Neequaye, Chairman of the District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, appealed to the people not to use the free health service being offered by the organisation as an excuse to refuse to pay their premiums for the Health Insurance Scheme since the centre offered only out patient service.

Nana Kwa Abouko V, Chief of the Biriwa, commended the NGO for the gesture and promised that the people would support the centre.