The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has presented medical supplies worth GHȼ50.000.00 to the Mafi-Dove Health Centre in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region.
The items include delivery bed and accessories, stretchers, collapsible beds with mattresses and mobile stands, hospital beds, steam sterilizer with gas burner, among others.
The presentation followed a request by the facility to UNFPA, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP).
Madam Cynthia Mamle Morrison, the sector Minister, who presented the items, commended UNFPA for the continuous support to the Ministry and helping to address the plight of the vulnerable in society.
She also commended her predecessor Madam Otiko Afisah Djaba for her role in the construction of the Health Centre-the only primary health care facility, which serves over 6,000 people.
Ms Erika Goldson, UNFPA Deputy Representative in Ghana, said her outfit was happy working with the MoGCSP in contributing to the strengthening of the health care system and making it more accessible to the people.
She was optimistic that the equipment presented would improve health delivery in the area and emphasized the need for the staff of the Health Centre to ensure regular maintenance of the equipment to ensure longevity.
Madam Justine Sefakor Alornyo, Central Tongu District Director of Health Services, recounted how in the past, pregnant women from the area suffered during labour because of a taboo that prohibited them from giving birth in the town, for which reason they had to travel several kilometres away to deliver and expressed gratitude to UNFPA and the MoGCSP for the support.
She said the facility had recorded 31 deliveries since April, 2018 and 1,891 OPD cases as at January 09, 2019.
Madam Gloria Bosoka, the first woman to deliver at the facility, in an interview with Ghana News Agency (GNA) expressed joy at the donation and urged others to access the facility and enjoy quality healthcare.
Mr. M.K. Awukuvi-Danyevor, Assembly Member for Mafi-Dove, on behalf of the chiefs and people of the area, thanked the MoGCSP and UNFPA for the gesture and appealed for an ambulance for the Health Centre.
Mr. Egu Emmanuel, Medical Officer in- Charge and Physician Assistant at the Mafi-Dove Health Centre, appealed for the construction of a lodge for pregnant women and ‘new mothers’ because the taboo, which barred them from giving birth in the community was still in force.
Source: GNA
