An initiative by the Korea Foundation for International Health (KOFIH) has augmented maternal and child healthcare delivery in Chantai, an island community in the Krachi West Municipality of the Oti Region.

The organization financed the construction of a maternity block and staff quarters to end the phenomenon of pregnant women traveling about 2 hours by land or over an hour by the River Oti to put to bed.

The project proposed and implemented by the Oti Regional Health Directorate saw the Chantai Community-based Health Planning Services Compound fully equipped to provide safe birth delivery services.

The Deputy Country Director of KOFIH, Ms Chae Eun Kim expressed excitement about the completion of the project.

She said the milestone cements KOFIH’s zeal to enhance maternal and child health in its operational areas across the country.

“I am so glad that we have great collaboration with the Oti Regional Health Directorate and also I am sure that our collaboration will remain strong and helpful to the health sector.

“You know, we have a goal that 'healthcare service for everyone, for all'. So, I am confident that our Chantai CHPS gives the rightful healthcare service to all our communities”, she said.

The Director of Institutional Care Division of the Ghana Health Service, (GHS), Dr. Ofori Boadu applauded authorities and KOFIH on the spate of development in the health sector of the Oti Region.

He acknowledged the outstanding challenges of lack of logistics and human resources and indicated that efforts are underway to “close the gap” to improve healthcare delivery.

“We believe KOFIH’s initiative is going to improve clinical services and service delivery in general”, he said.

Dr. Boadu added that the initiative by KOFIH conforms with the GHS’s “Network of Practice” activity which is visioned to extend practice and care to the communities.

“So we are happy, we wish Oti Region all the best, we hope that they will keep on doing the best thing that they are doing and catch up with the rest of the regions”, he concluded.

The Oti Regional Health Director, Dr. Osei Kuffuor Afreh recounted how women in the community had to travel in tricycles or on motorbikes and endure a hash journey of about 2 hours to deliver their babies at the Kete Krachi.

He explained that KOFIH’s commitment to enhancing maternal and child healthcare in Ghana is anchored on the principles of Global Health Security.

He said that a staff quarter was added to the facility to ensure that residents have 24/7 access to healthcare adding that the facility is equipped to provide complete health service for pregnant women and children.

“We now have 13 killer diseases which your children can now be immunized against here at the facility. Men are not left out. You can also visit the facility for basic healthcare”, he said.

He outlined the construction of a children's ward at the Krachi hospital, conference hall, classroom pavilion, and skills lab at Krachi Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Tokpo CHPS Compound, Amewoyikope CHPS Compound, renovation of the Ntewusae Health Centre, the extension of theatre unit and provision of equipment to Krachi hospital and health centers as major intervention projects undertaken by KOFIH in the Oti Region within the last decade.

“To this, we say Ayekoo and a big thank you to the Government of South Korea and KOFIH for a yeoman job done.  We are forever indebted to the KOFIH team in Ghana and staff of the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service who have contributed to the success of the KOFIH programme in Ghana and Oti Region”, he stressed.

The Krachi West Municipal Director of Health, Victor Ahiaba identified the provision of the maternity block and staff accommodation as a beacon of hope for people in the area, as it would boast access to healthcare.

“This has come to give hope, and confidence to the people of the Chantai community and all the surrounding communities in Krachi West because now they will be able to have access to quality maternal and child healthcare.

“Now they will not go far away to Krachi West Municipal Hospital before a pregnant woman can be attended to if there is a need to bring a new life into the world”, he said.

An Opinion Leader in Chantai, Kofi Asunkpaso extended the community’s appreciation to KOFIH, and Ghana Health Service for resolving their greatest challenge.

He appealed to pregnant women to make use of the facility to ensure safe delivery.