Health workers at the Offinho Asamang Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Zone in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region have made a passionate appeal to government and relevant stakeholders to urgently intervene and address the severe challenges confronting the facility.
The staff, who are grappling with inadequate infrastructure and critical understaffing, say the situation is placing enormous strain on healthcare delivery and threatening the quality of services provided to residents of Offinho Asamang and its surrounding communities.
According to information gathered during a visit to the facility, only four health personnel are currently managing the CHPS compound. The officers reportedly work prolonged 24-hour shifts without adequate rest in order to keep the facility operational.
Though the arrangement has been adopted out of necessity, concerns have been raised about staff fatigue and the potential impact on effective service delivery, particularly in emergency situations. The situation is further compounded by erratic electricity supply, which has forced health workers to sometimes attend to patients at night using touch lights and mobile phone flashlights. Staff describe the development as risky, especially during maternal health cases and other critical emergencies that require stable lighting and reliable power.
The challenges came to light during a visit by philanthropist and community leader, Mr. Yaw Hemeng of Agya Hemeng Town, who interacted with staff to gain firsthand insight into their difficulties. Deeply moved by their plight, Mr. Hemeng donated an ultra-modern standby diesel generator to the CHPS compound to help ensure a stable power supply and improve working conditions, particularly during night duties.
The health workers made their appeal known to the media during the presentation of the generator. They expressed profound gratitude to Mr. Hemeng for his timely intervention and reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to serving the people of Offinho Asamang despite the harsh working conditions. However, they stressed that while the donation will provide immediate relief, sustained government intervention remains crucial to resolving the longstanding structural and staffing challenges at the facility.
Presenting the generator, Mr. Hemeng called on other benevolent individuals, corporate bodies, and development partners to support healthcare delivery in deprived communities. He emphasized that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right and should not be compromised by geographical location or limited resources.
He further appealed to the government to prioritize the construction of adequate nurses’ quarters for health personnel posted to the area. According to him, the absence of decent accommodation remains a major deterrent to attracting and retaining healthcare professionals in rural communities.
In addition, Mr. Hemeng urged the relevant authorities to address the poor road network serving the community, describing it as a significant barrier to healthcare access and socio-economic development. He noted that improving the roads would enhance emergency response efforts, ease transportation challenges for patients and staff, and contribute to the overall development of Offinho Asamang and its environs.
The appeal by the Offinho Asamang CHPS workers underscores the urgent need for strategic investment in rural healthcare infrastructure to ensure that residents in deprived communities receive the quality medical attention they deserve.
