AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Limited, in collaboration with GIZ, will soon roll out a community health programme for the people of Obuasi.
The project will deal with COVID-19 and its impact on the health systems and livelihoods of people within the Obuasi Municipality and Obuasi East district.
The programme, themed ‘Pandemic management in Catchment Communities in times of COVID-19 and beyond’, also takes into cognisance various health conditions.
Obuasi was one of the Ghanaian communities that was most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; a situation that tested the public Health system there to its limits. The pandemic exposed laxities in the health system which the new programme seeks to address.
When implemented, the three-year Obuasi Community Health Programme will consolidate all existing health interventions under the auspices of AGA and make them more visible and sustainable.
During the programme’s launch in Obuasi, Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo – Senior Manager-Sustainability – was excited about the partnership with GIZ, and also revealed the programme will ensure strengthening of health systems in Obuasi and provide quality healthcare.
He explained that the pandemic exposed challenges in the health system: such as lack of equipment, PPEs, emergency preparedness and awareness capability, among others.
He revealed that as part of the partnership, GIZ will bring in the School of Public Health of the University of Ghana to support emergency preparedness capability development within the Assembly system as well as the health system.
He stated that the programme will collaborate with health directorates to expand health facilities where necessary, and also deal with issues of maternal health and the prevention of communicable diseases and other community health issues. The keep Obuasi clean campaign, he revealed, will also be repackaged and made more robust and sustainable.
Mr. Baidoo hinted that the project will also provide support for small businesses to enable them draw business continuity plans.
A technical Advisor for GIZ, Madam Mary Bonsu, said the project’s timing is very crucial – adding that pandemic preparedness should also be seen as an economic issue as much as it is considered a health issue, considering the pandemic’s impact on livelihoods.
She revealed that by end of the programme in 2024, about 60,000 catchment community members should have been enrolled on the National Health Insurance Scheme and remained active in usage and renewal.
Also, 10,000 community members should have taken tests to determine their health status including COVID-19 and 70% should have increased their score by 20% between the beginning and end of the project; and 150,000 catchment community members should have received medical care including vaccinations for COVID-19 and other vaccinations.
Delphine Gborgblorvor, Obuasi East District Health Director, on her part reminded all citizens that when it comes to health there is only one Obuasi.
She lauded the good relationships among health facilities and workers within the Obuasi enclave, which she said is characterised in the sharing of resources among the health facilities. She pledged her outfit’s support for the programme and stated her deep desire to see a successful outcome of the programme.
