Ghana’s First Lady, Rebecca Akufo Addo has inaugurated a Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound at Nyanshegu in the Sagnarigu Municipality of the Northern Region.
The ultra-modern health facility was funded by the her initiative, Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation and its partners.
In addition, the Foundation organized a free health screening exercise and catered for the needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS at the official inauguration ceremony.
Mrs. Rebecca Akufo whose major concern is the provision of quality healthcare for the destitute in society, reiterated the determination of her Foundation and its partners to reduce malaria and the infant mortality ratio across Ghana at the ceremony.
“Today we the Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation team and partners are fulfilling our main objective of reducing malaria and malnutrition in vulnerable population through improving access to preventive care and effective services across Ghana.”
She explained the HIV/AIDS screening exercise saying, “I am also equally pleased to bring HIV and health screening exercise services to your community today as part of actions to support Ghana’s chapter of the Organization of African Ladies against AIDS. As First Ladies of Africa we are committed to the elimination of HIV with emphasis on the prevention of mother to child transmission.”
“So far my office has been working beautifully with the Ghana AIDS Commission to achieve this goal. Our hope is that in a few years there would be zero transmission of HIV from mother to child,” she stated.
She underscored the need for Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to periodically get tested for HIV and receive counselling.
“Getting screened is the first step to avoid potential health risk in future. Please encourage friends, family and your community to receive counseling, know their HIV status and change their behaviour that put us all at risk of a condition that can be avoided.”
“I wish to encourage our youth to adopt healthy behaviours. You are the future of this nation. It is therefore imperative for the future of Ghana that you remain healthy by making the right choices.”
The First Lady added that she would continue to support national efforts to ensure a healthy and productive country.
The Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed commended the First Lady for her humanitarian services.
“Health delivery services are very critical especially in the northern region and the construction of the CHPS compound demonstrates the First Lady’s mother for all character.”
According to him, the Northern Region lacked adequate health facilities and pleaded with the First Lady for more of such projects.
He assured the First Lady that the Nyanshegu CHPS compound would serve the purpose of its establishment.
“The regional administration will liaise with the assembly to ensure that the facility is put to good use and I will also admonish the various assemblies to emulate this kind gesture by using their internal resources to construct similar facilities in their respective areas.”
Salifu Saeed bemoaned the increasing ratio of maternal mortality in the area and called for a multifaceted approach to solve the problem.
–
By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana