Jirapa Naayiri Health Center Faces Operational Challenges Despite Official Upgrade

Anthony Batie Doodang, Chairman of the Community Health Committee for Jirapa Naayiri, has raised urgent concerns about the operational reality of the Naayiri CHPS Compound, recently upgraded to a Health Center.

Despite official documentation of this upgrade, many residents remain unaware of the facility and its available services, limiting timely access to essential healthcare.

Mr. Batie emphasized the critical need for effective communication to inform all community members about the facility, which is staffed by a midwife and community nurses dedicated to serving local health needs. He also highlighted the presence of an Adolescent Health Center targeting youth health issues.

However, both centers face significant operational challenges, including poor hygiene and sanitation, an inaccessible road leading to the facility, and a lack of community participation in labor efforts to maintain the compound.

‘‘We don’t have a septic tank for our urinary and currently, since we have a maternity room, we need a placenta pit and also an incinerator. Without all these, the sanitary situation at the Health Center will go from bad to worse’’ he uttered.

The chairman of the Naayiri Health Committee also expressed his disquiet at the attitude of community members towards community activities. He accused many of them of not taking advantage of opportunities to engage in communal labor and related activities.

“Our people don’t attach any form of seriousness to communal labor. It has even become worse during this rainy season since many of them use that as an excuse,” Mr. Batie lamented.

Supporting these concerns, Hon. Abraham Ziekye, Assemblyman for the Naayiri electoral area, revealed that the health center operates from an old council building now converted to meet healthcare demands.

He pointed out infrastructure inadequacies requiring urgent renovation and essential equipment such as delivery rooms, delivery apparatus, septic tanks, and incinerators to enhance service delivery and ensure smooth operations by medical staff.

Both leaders call on relevant authorities to address these issues promptly to provide the Naayiri community with accessible, well-equipped, and well-publicized health services crucial for their well-being.