Sekesua Health Center located in Upper Manya Krobo District in Eastern region serves more than six communities.
However, the facility has operated without a medical laboratory for basic medical tests to facilitate treatment .
Patients including pregnant women who seek healthcare at Sekesua Health Center often discontinued treatment whenever referred to travel long distance to Asesewa or Koforidua for Laboratory tests due to high transportation cost and other inconveniences.
The situation has over the years affected quality healthcare care and led to some preventable complications and deaths.
Fortunately, the Member of Parliament Upper Manya Krobo Bismark Tetteh Nyarko has completed and Commissioned a furnished medical laboratory for the facility for Health center ending the stress of patients.
The MP is hopeful the facility will help improve quality health care .
“Their request from the community really touched me. So immediately I made calls to solicit support. All these equipment you see here were all donated to me by one of my children. As a member of Parliament in opposition I don’t have enough resources so most of the things we depend on the youth that help us to use communal labour to accomplish. The intention is to expand the facility so in the near future we upgrade to a poly clinic so as you can see we have a lot of things needed here. So sons and daughters of upper Manya particularly from Sekesua we appeal to you to come home to assist.”
Physician Assistant, at the Health Center Mr Tetteh -Lartey recounted how the absent of laboratory services for basic tests impaired quality healthcare stating that completion and operationalization of the new lab at the facility would improve diagnosis and quality of treatment to patients particularly pregnant women and children to help reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity.
Emmanuel Gbermo, administrator at the Upper Manya Krobo District Health Directorate said the directorate have applied for National Health Insurance accreditation for the lab facility to ensure the services are covered by the scheme to reduce cost for patients.
He underscored the importance of Laboratory test in provision of quality healthcare hence commended the MP.
Residents in Sekesua recounted the difficulty they faced in accessing basic laboratory tests years go.
Some say they abandoned treatment whenever asked to do travel long distance for a lab test.
Therefore with the new facility they will return to seek healthcare.
Chairman of local chiefs in the area Dademantse Kumi said the intervention by the MP is timely considering that lab test has become integral part of modern healthcare.
He recounted how he used his personal car to sometimes transport some critically ill patients for basic lab test elsewhere.
The chief appealed for an ambulance and establishment of a mortuary at the facility.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
