Abokobi: Adwoa Safo Cuts Sod For Construction Of OPD

The Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo has cut sod for the construction of an Out Patient Department (OPD) at the Abokobi Health Centre in the Constituency.

According to her, the yet to be constructed edifice when completed will accommodate the huge numbers that troop to the health facility.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, the Dome Kwabenya MP said “Today is a great and together with GIZ, we are about to cut the sod for this project. This project is to reinforce the broader objective of government’s efforts to provide health facility to all Ghanaians”.

She added that the project also seeks to ensure health delivery in the country aimed contributing to achieving SDG Goal 3 which highlights good health and well being.

The lawmaker also noted that the facility will help reduce child mortality rate in the community and neighboring communities.

She mentioned that aside the commissioning of the Ga East Municipal Hospital by President Akufo-Addo, this facility per its facelift will perform beyond reasonable doubts.

"The Abokobi Hospital was established in 1988 as a reproductive and childbirth unit and was later upgraded into a center. It is my belief, that this OPD Block will serve the needs of constituents and persons from other communities especially women and children,” she noted.

She tasked the contractor, GEONACCS INVESTMENT GHANA LIMITED to work within the 8months timeframe and produce excellent work.

She assured the gathering that works at Haatso Maternity Clinic will also be commissioned soon to compliment the President’s vision.

“The estimated cost of this project which is in partnership by The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is estimated at One Million Three Hundred and Forty Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-Nine Ghana Cedis (1,490,529) and is fully funded by the GIZ Ghana and the Municipal Assembly,” the MP stressed.

She challenged the nurses to work with passion and help save lives of women, children, the aged as well as persons with disabilities.

The Municipal Chief Executive of the area, Janet Tulasi Mensah was confident that the OPD, when completed, will help ease the challenges some patients and nurses face on daily basis.

“The Abokobi Health Centre, until last week when His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commissioned the 100-Bed Capacity Ga East Municipal Hospital at Atomic, Kwabenya, was one of the two Public Health Facilities in the entire municipality,” she emphasised.

The MCE added that it has always been the desire of the Assembly to facilitate the upgrading of the Health Centre to a Polyclinic status but with the commencement of the construction of a new and ultramodern OPD Block, the constituents are more than enthused about the prospect.

She revealed that the spacious, patient-friendly and large space enough to accommodate other units and give more people access to medical services in and around the vicinity of Abokobi.

Janet Tulasi Mensah further highlighted that the facility comes with a beautiful landscaping and tree-planting component making it environmentally friendly in the realisation of Goal 13 of the SDGs.

“The Assembly is taking steps to ensure the completion of the Abokobi Nurses Quarters to provide needed accommodation for our nurses to enable them work comfortably. The Boi Clinic, which is completed will soon be commissioned for use while the Phase One of the Maternity/NHIS facility at Haatso by our Hon. MP, will also soon be commissioned for use,” she posited.

The MCE noted that the Municipality is bent on enhancing healthcare delivery system fulfilling the Goal Three (3) of the SDGs, which points to, "Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote Well-being for All at All Ages".

Team Leader, Public Financial Management at GIZ Ghana, Jens Hamlischer was confident that his outfit will do more in ensuring quality health care for all Ghanaians.

He lauded the Member of Parliament and Municipal Chief Executive for their tremendous work in the constituency.

He tasked the staff and nurses to ensure 100% quality health care for all manner of patients.

Municipal Director, Ghana Health Service, Dr. Selorm Kutsoati said “We are happy our request is being granted and we assure the MP and MCE of 100% work rate. We will have more consulting rooms. This will attract more staff and patients”.

She mentioned that although the Abokobi Health Centre was faced with challenges last year, it managed to take care of Seventeen Thousand (17,000) patients adding that this new facility will complement their efforts.

Dr. Selorm Kutsoati called on the MP and MCE to provide the hospital with an ambulance and walling to avoid squatters from encroaching onto the land.