The Bongo District Chief Executive (DCE), Diana Asoketarige Ayamga, and the Member of Parliament for Bongo, Hon Charles Bawa-Dua, have supported the St. Theresa Health Centre at Zorko Tarongo with hospital beds, a refrigerator, streetlights, and roofing works. This is to improve healthcare delivery and security in the community.
The intervention followed appeals from traditional leaders and Assembly Members for urgent support to address inadequate equipment, poor lighting and infrastructural challenges confronting the health facility.
The items presented to the facility included four hospital beds, a refrigerator and four streetlights. The DCE and the MP also funded the roofing of an unroofed section of the health centre, which had reportedly exposed patients and staff to rainwater during the rainy season.
Speaking during the presentation, the Bongo DCE, Diana Ayamga, said the intervention was in response to concerns raised by residents about the facility’s inability to adequately accommodate patients and provide essential services.
She said community leaders had raised particular concerns about the lack of hospital beds, which made it difficult for patients needing observation or temporary admission to receive appropriate care.
“According to the chiefs, their community was in darkness and required our help. They also told us that there were no hospital beds to accommodate patients who visited the facility for healthcare. Sometimes, patients had to stay for about six or seven hours before receiving the necessary attention and being allowed to go home,” she said.
Madam Ayamga said the lack of a refrigerator was another major challenge, particularly for storing vaccines and other medical items that require cold-chain facilities.
“They also complained that there was no fridge at the facility to store some vaccines,” she said.
She added that an unroofed portion of the health centre had also become a major concern during the rainy season, as rainwater entered the facility and affected the care of patients.
“There was also a portion of the facility that was unroofed and was always leaking during the rainy season. They appealed to me to help roof that section so that when patients come, they can be admitted and properly taken care of,” she added.
The DCE said she subsequently approached the Bongo MP, Charles Bawa Dua, who readily agreed to collaborate with her to address the challenges.
“I consulted the MP, and he was also pleased with the idea. So, the MP and I collaborated, and that is how we came up with four streetlights, four hospital beds and a fridge for the facility to store their vaccines. We have also roofed the unroofed section they appealed for,” Madam Ayamga said.
The intervention is expected to improve the working environment for health workers, enhance patient care and strengthen security around the health centre and adjoining communities.
The donation formed part of activities commemorating the birthday of the late Joseph Abaà Akasake, a former Bongo District Chief Executive.
Source: Joseph Napoleon Anaaya Bolga FM
