AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Mine has officially handed over a refurbished health facility at Anyinam, a suburb of Obuasi in the Ashanti Region, to the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
The project, which cost over GH₵700,000, saw the addition of new infrastructure and upgrade of the health facility to provide enhanced healthcare services to residents of Anyinam and other surrounding communities.
The new additions include a placenta pit which allows medical waste to degrade naturally, an in-house laboratory, a dispensary, two additional consulting rooms, a washroom, six fitted air conditioners, and a sluice room to cater for the safe and efficient disposal of human waste, so as to prevent the spread of infections.
At a ceremony to hand over the facility to the Ghana Health Service, the 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 that the company refurbished the clinic’s amenities.
He was optimistic that the upgrade of the clinic’s facilities will provide residents of Anyinam access to timely and quality health services.
He reiterated AngloGold Ashanti’s commitment 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 screening for 8,000 people, registered them for the National Health Insurance Scheme, and distributed medical equipment to health facilities,” he said.
Mr. Baidoo further urged the management of the facility to ensure that it is well-managed to continue to serve future generations.
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 in the Western Region.
Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Obuasi Municipal Assembly, Elijah Adansi-Bonah, lauded AngloGold Ashanti for its efforts in supporting the community.
Nana Guahyia Oduropanin Birikorang, Edubiasehene, on his part, highlighted the significance of healthcare, and commended AngloGold Ashanti for renovating the Anyinam Clinic, saying it will support the provision of quality healthcare in the area.
He further urged AngloGold Ashanti to consider upgrading the facility to a hospital status in order to meet the growing population.
Municipal Health Director, Margaret Yaa Manu, was optimistic that the facility is fully equipped to handle a wide range of health issues.
AngloGold Ashanti launched its 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan last year to contribute to building self-sustaining communities.
