Abrika CHPS compound to end maternal health nightmare for Techiman-Sunyani communities

The dusty roads connecting Bridgeso and Abrika to Techiman have witnessed countless tragedies for decades. Women in active labor seeking transport, children slipping into critical malaria comas, and the elderly struggling for oxygen. The nearest health facility, miles away in Techiman, has been the source of a healthcare crisis that has resulted in lives lost and broken families.

Nana Kwame Boakye, an opinion leader from Bridgeso, lamented, "We have lost too many mothers on this road. Not just women in labor, but children with malaria, the elderly with high blood pressure. By the time you arrange transport to Techiman, it is often too late." For expectant mothers, the situation was particularly dire, with many forced to deliver at home without skilled care or risk the perilous journey to Techiman during labor.

"When my daughter went into labor with her first child, we had to rush her to Techiman. The road was bad, it was night, and we thought we would lose both of them. By the grace of God, they survived, but not every woman is that lucky," recounted Akua Afriyie. Her experience is shared by Adwoa Takyiwaa, who lived in constant fear during her pregnancy.

"When I was pregnant, I was terrified. I knew if I went into labor at night, I might not make it to the hospital. Some of my friends had their babies on the roadside. We prayed and prayed for a health center to be built here. We need help. Our children deserve to be born safely." The healthcare infrastructure's absence has not only impacted maternal health but also left the entire population vulnerable to preventable diseases and emergencies.

The Techiman Municipal Assembly, recognizing the urgent need, has initiated the construction of a modern Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound to bring primary healthcare to the doorsteps of these neglected villages. The Bono East Regional Minister, Francis Owusu Antwi, visited the site on Thursday to assess the progress and expressed satisfaction with the work quality while emphasizing the urgency of the project.

"I am very impressed with the quality of work I have seen here today. The contractor is doing a commendable job. The foundations are strong, the walls are solid. This is the kind of quality we expect," Mr. Owusu Antwi stated. However, he urged the contractor to expedite the work, as every day of delay could put a mother or child at risk.

The government's commitment to improving primary healthcare across the region is evident, with the construction of 18 CHPS projects at various stages in the Bono East Region. The CHPS compound project is more than just a clinic; it includes a consulting room, a delivery room, an outpatient department, and accommodation for health workers, addressing key challenges faced by rural healthcare delivery.

Municipal Engineer Kofi Oduro explained that the project's design aims to solve the problem of staff housing, ensuring that once completed, the facility will be fully staffed and operational. The residents of Bridgeso and Abrika watched with hope as the Minister and engineers inspected the facility, a sign that their long wait may soon be over.