AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has officially commissioned a refurbished health facility at Anyinam, a suburb of Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.
The refurbishment cost over GH₵700,000 and saw the health facility’s upgrading to provide enhanced healthcare services for residents of Anyinam and surrounding communities, beyond ante-natal and post-natal care.
The new additions include a placenta pit, which allows medical waste to degrade naturally; an in-house laboratory and a dispensary; two additional consulting rooms and a washroom; six fitted air-conditioners; and a sluice-room that caters for safe and efficient disposal of human waste, to prevent the spread of infection.
At a ceremony to hand-over the facility to Ghana Health Service, Senior Manager-Sustainability, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, Emmanuel Baidoo, underscored the importance of quality and affordable healthcare to development.
He reiterated that since ‘Improved Accessibility to Quality Healthcare’ is a key investment area to AGA Obuasi Mine under its 10-year socio-economic development plan, it was appropriate for the company to support refurbishing and improving the clinic’s amenities to benefit the community, and others, in addressing their health needs to accommodate the growing population of Anyinam.
He is optimistic that upgrading facilities at the health centre will, among other things, provide residents of Anyinam convenient access to timely and quality health service – instead of having to travel far to receive medical attention.
Mr. Baidoo further urged management of the facility to ensure it is well-managed to continue serving future generations.
In an interview with media, the Senior Manager Sustainability announced AngloGold Ashanti is committed to improving healthcare in Obuasi through collaborations with relevant entities.
“In partnership with GIZ, we have trained 150 health professionals on infectious disease prevention, cervical cancer and maternal health. We have also conducted screenings for 8,000 people, registered them for the National Health Insurance Scheme, and distributed medical equipment to health facilities,” he said.
Still on health intervention measures, Mr. Baidoo disclosed that AngloGold Ashanti in 2021 collaborated with the AGA Community Trust Fund to construct a modern maternal health facility that is currently catering for individuals from distant locations such as the Western Region.
Chief Executive (MCE) for Obuasi Municipal, Elijah Adansi-Bonah, lauded AngloGold Ashanti for their efforts in supporting the community by providing infrastructure to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare services to the people.
Nana Guahyia Oduropanin Birikorang, Edubiasehene, on his part highlighted the significance of healthcare and commended AngloGold Ashanti for renovating the Anyinam Clinic and lauded the benefits it will provide for the community.
He further urged AngloGold Ashanti to consider upgrading the facility to a hospital status due to the growing population.
Nana Guahyia Oduropanin Birikorang took the opportunity to thank Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu II and President Nana Akufo-Addo for reopening the Obuasi Mine.
Municipal Health Director, Margaret Yaa Manu, assured attendees that the facility is fully equipped to handle a wide range of health issues; and further appealed for the community to refrain from any negative behaviour toward the facility, so as to ensure it remains a valuable resource for the community’s healthcare needs.
AngloGold Ashanti launched its 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan last year, aimed at contributing to building a socio-economically self-sustaining community.
