SEND-Ghana a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) has officially launched a report on a survey on Community Health Planning Service (CHPS) introduced by the Ministry of Health via, Ghana Health Service.
Theme for the survey was. ?Health Care At The Doorsteps Of Citizens, Unleashing The Potentials Of CHPS.?
Briefing newsmen, Mr. George Osei Bimpeh, the country Director of Send- Ghana outlined the reasons for his outfit to undertake the study which was to appraise and unearth the success, challenges and the necessary remedies to enhance this primary health care for our dear ones in the hinterlands.
He praised the MOH and the GHS for rolling out this laudable health programme for arresting infant and maternal mortality which he said should be reduced drastically. He lamented about the tragic death of women in today?s world where such deaths could be prevented through some of these interventions.
He enumerated some of the challenges as: lack of storage facilities for drugs; lack of properly and scietifically trained birth attendants (midwives) in some areas; low patronage of the CHPS facilities in some parts; attitudes of some CHOs; lack of accommodation; uncooperative attitude of some district and regional assembly workers and duty bearers ; etc. But in spite of these bottlenecks, the study made significant revelations that are so important for consideration policy makers.
The report that covered 50 districts and two regions, ?Greater Accra and Northern was reviewed by Professor Ellen Bortei-Doku Aryeetey of University of Ghana, Legon. She commended Send- Ghana for a good work but urged them to extend their work to other regions especially Volta Region where the people need good health care as well because of high incidence of poverty.
Dr. Bortei- Doku called on the MOH and GHS to provide logistics and transportation to enable the CHOs do their work effectively. This she said would ameliorate the needless infant and maternal mortally rate ?to the barest minimum. She highly commended Send- Ghana for meritorious study and urged the authorities concerned to address the challenges and apply the findings in the report to ensure quality health-care in our hinterlands. She later launched the report in-front of cameras.
A representative from the Ministry of Health, Mr. Isaac Moses, addressed the concerns raised by the report, pressmen and stake-holders. He vehemently accepted the findings and suggestions by the gathering and thoroughly explained MOH?s position on CHPS and plans earmarked ?for its success and sustainability.
He explained the rationale for the CHPS as the need to provide basic health care for the grass roots where there is no health facilities close to them to avoid complications. He advised ?Send- Ghana and the Media to collaborate to make the scheme succeed for our people?s own good ?health.
The chairperson for the occasion was Madam Janet Mohammed who is the Board chairperson of Send -Ghana.
She urged the media to carry news of health care far and wide to enable the providers and beneficiaries participate in health programmes fully. Madam Mohammed said Send-Ghana would continue to undertake similar studies to knock-home the need for duty-bearers and authorities to live up to their responsibilities in their various fields. She also urged the media to probe for answers to some national issues ?to bring out the best from duty bearers and authorities.
Later in the day, the organizers hosted the press at a soiree and urged journalists to partner Send-Ghana to publish issues they unearth to people in positions of trust ?to ensure commitment and responsibility.
