The Suhum Municipal Chief Executive, Lydia Ohenewa Sarah, has commissioned and handed over a fully equipped Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound to the chiefs and residents of Brong Densuso in the Eastern Region.
The new facility is expected to improve access to healthcare for people in Brong Densuso and surrounding communities, many of whom previously had to travel long distances to receive basic medical care.
Speaking at a brief ceremony attended by officials from the Suhum Municipal Assembly, the Municipal Health Directorate, and traditional leaders, the MCE urged residents to take ownership of the facility and make good use of it.
She noted that the community had long called for a health centre and said the CHPS compound would help ease the pressure on the Suhum Government Hospital.
She also emphasised the need for a strong maintenance culture, encouraging residents to protect the facility to ensure it serves future generations.
According to her, the Assembly remains committed to bringing development to the grassroots, adding that safeguarding public investments like the CHPS compound is a shared responsibility.
Touching on security concerns, the MCE assured residents that efforts are underway to improve safety in the area.
She said the Assembly is working closely with the police and traditional authorities to address recent incidents of armed robbery reported in Brong Densuso and nearby communities.
The CHPS compound, funded through the Municipal Assembly Common Fund, includes a four-bedroom staff accommodation with inbuilt washrooms, a kitchen, a hall, an outpatient department (OPD), a labour ward, consulting rooms, a general ward, records office, and a dispensary.
The Acting Municipal Director of Health Services, Isaac Noble Mensah, praised the MCE for the initiative, describing the facility as a major boost to healthcare delivery in the area.
He referenced global standards set by the World Health Organization, which recommend that individuals should not travel more than five kilometres to access basic healthcare.
He assured residents that the facility has been adequately stocked with essential drugs and equipment, and that trained health personnel have been deployed to provide quality services. He also appealed to the community to warmly receive the staff and support their work.
On behalf of the community, the Chief of Brong Densuso, Barimah Lartey Jamo I, expressed gratitude to the MCE and the government for completing the project.
He pledged the community’s full support in maintaining the facility and ensuring it is properly utilised.