Two Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds aimed at improving maternal and child healthcare delivery have been officially opened for the Kanakulai and Tantuani communities in the North East Gonja District of the Savannah Region.

This is to help provide easy access to healthcare services in the area.

The facilities, funded through the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) in collaboration with the Member of Parliament's Common Fund, are expected to ease the burden on pregnant women, children, and the elderly who previously had to travel long distances to seek medical care in Salaga, Tamale, and other neighbouring communities.

The newly constructed CHPS compounds have been equipped with motorbikes to support outreach services, vaccination campaigns, and other community health interventions.

The facilities also include accommodation for health personnel, a move expected to reduce the challenges faced by nurses who commute from Tamale and other towns to provide healthcare services in the communities.

In all, more than 11 health workers are expected to benefit from the accommodation facilities, enabling them to reside within the communities and provide prompt healthcare services.

Officially opening the facilities, the Member of Parliament for Salaga North, Alhaji Alhassan Mumuni, said the CHPS compounds were constructed to complement government efforts to expand access to quality healthcare through the Free Primary Healthcare Programme.

He said the facilities would ensure that expectant mothers received safe and timely delivery services closer to their homes while enhancing access to primary healthcare.

"These CHPS compounds ensure that expectant mothers receive safe and timely delivery services closer to home. It is part of our commitment to improving healthcare and supporting the government's vision of accessible primary healthcare for all," he stated.

The MP together with the DCE commissioned a total of 10 development projects across the district.

They include eight-seater WC toilet facilities and two-unit shower blocks at Kpalbe; a two-unit kindergarten classroom block with stores and office at Kpalbe; a four-unit nurses' quarters at Kpalbe; a CHPS compound with a two-unit nurses' accommodation at Kanakulai; a three-unit nurses' accommodation at Gidanturu; and a CHPS compound with a two-unit nurses' accommodation at Tantuani.

The remaining projects are a three-unit classroom block with an office at the Fuu Girls Model Junior High School, an eight-seater WC toilet facility and a two-unit shower block at Fuu, and a three-unit classroom block with a four-seater WC toilet and urinal at Fushilla.

Alhaji Mumuni said the projects fulfilled campaign promises made to communities and demonstrated the government's commitment to providing a conducive and enabling environment for residents.

He noted that the projects also reflected the Assembly's commitment to equitable distribution of development initiatives across communities in the district.

"When we were campaigning, we made some pledges based on requests from community members and opinion leaders. We assured them that if they supported us to win the election, we would return to support them. What we are doing today is honouring those promises and handing over completed projects to the beneficiary communities," he said.

The District Chief Executive for North East Gonja, Ewuntomah Abdul-Mumin, said the government remained committed to inclusive development and equal opportunities for all citizens.

He commended residents for maintaining peace in the district and urged traditional authorities and community leaders to continue supporting efforts aimed at sustaining harmony and development.

"The district is peaceful and that is why we can undertake these projects. My appeal is that unresolved issues, particularly at Jantong, should be addressed to ensure total peace and harmony. Development can only thrive in a peaceful environment," he said.

The DCE commended the contractors for the quality of work and for completing the projects on schedule. He urged the beneficiary communities to ensure that the projects are well-maintained to ensure sustainability. 

The District Director of Health Services, Zakariah Kassim, expressed satisfaction with the completion of the health projects and said they would significantly improve healthcare delivery in the district.

He said the facilities would support the implementation of the government's Free Primary Healthcare Programme while bringing quality healthcare services closer to underserved communities.

Mr Kassim added that the provision of staff accommodation and motorbikes would improve emergency response, outreach services, and overall quality of healthcare delivery.

Residents and opinion leaders from the beneficiary communities expressed appreciation to the Assembly and the Member of Parliament for fulfilling their promises and pledged to maintain the facilities to ensure their long-term sustainability.