By Celestine Avi and Seth Eyiah
The Lordina Foundation has commissioned a fully renovated and well-equipped health facility at Anyima in the Bono East Region to improve access to quality healthcare, particularly for mothers and children.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the First Lady, Mrs. Lordina Mahama, said the project reflects the foundation’s continued commitment to expanding healthcare access and reducing maternal and infant mortality across the country.
She expressed gratitude to the Anyimahemaa, Saa Gyamfuaa II, whose advocacy led to the rehabilitation of the facility.
Expansion of Health Facilities
Mrs. Mahama said the commissioning of the Anyima Health Centre brings to six the number of medical facilities the foundation has either constructed or renovated nationwide. She noted that the foundation has previously built maternity and children’s wards in Bole, Bodom in Nkoranza North, Nkoranza South and Asukawkaw, while also renovating and expanding the Adabraka Health Centre in Hohoe Zongo with additional medical equipment.
According to her, the Anyima project holds personal significance as the nearby town of Jema-Ampoma is the hometown of her late mother, Abena Gyamfua.
Addressing Maternal and Infant Mortality
Mrs Mahama stressed that access to quality healthcare remains critical in addressing Ghana’s maternal and infant mortality challenges. She cited statistics indicating that Ghana records nearly 300 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, while infant mortality stands at about 32 deaths per 1,000 live births.
“Behind these numbers are mothers, daughters, sisters and precious children whose lives could be saved with timely access to quality healthcare and skilled birth attendants,” she stated.
Facilities and Equipment
The renovated Anyima Health Centre is expected to serve more than 3,000 residents in the community and neighbouring towns including Amoma, Apesika, Jema and Kranbenko. The facility now includes an Out-Patient Department, consulting and examination rooms, a delivery room, labour ward, children’s ward and male and female wards. It also features an adolescent centre, laboratory, dispensary, emergency room and offices for nurses and midwives.
Mrs Mahama said the foundation has also equipped the centre with modern medical equipment including hospital beds, an electric obstetric bed, infant incubator, infant phototherapy unit, ultrasound system, digital electrocardiogram (ECG), oxygen equipment, patient monitoring devices and neonatal care equipment. She said the facility would help reduce the burden on expectant mothers and patients who previously had to travel long distances to access healthcare.
Free Women’s Healthcare Programme
Mrs. Mahama further announced that President John Dramani Mahama will soon launch a Free Women’s Healthcare Programme aimed at providing free health services for women at facilities such as the Anyima Health Centre. She explained that the programme is expected to increase healthcare utilisation, support early disease detection, reduce health costs for families and contribute to building a healthier nation.
Community Appreciation
The Anyimahemaa, Saa Gyamfuaa II, together with traditional authorities in the area, expressed gratitude to the Lordina Foundation for the intervention, describing the project as a life-changing development for the community. They noted that the renovated facility would significantly improve access to healthcare for residents and surrounding communities.
