The clinic with no washroom, and a broken delivery bed: Lonto Health Centre seeks help

The Lonto Community Health Centre in Ghana's Northern Region is grappling with inadequate facilities and equipment, which is impacting healthcare delivery for both patients and staff. Upon arriving at the clinic, one notices a faded signpost directing people to the health centre, alongside unused metal beds strewn outside. Inside, cobwebs cling to various corners, while some beds lack bed sheets.

In the consulting room, scattered books and other items reflect the limited storage space available. Registered Community Health Nurse Magdalene Demyomah, who has served at the center for over a year, acknowledges the challenges but remains committed to her work. One of the most pressing issues is the absence of washrooms. Residents and staff alike are forced to relieve themselves in the surrounding bushes, elevating the risk of diseases like diarrhoea and cholera.

Additionally, the centre lacks an ambulance for transporting emergency cases, prompting families to transport patients using tricycles to nearby hospitals. Medicine supplies occasionally arrive late, necessitating patients to purchase certain medications themselves, which is not ideal, especially for medications that require immediate attention. The facility also does not provide separate wards for male, female, and pediatric patients.