Work has began on an ultra modern health facility for the people of Wangarakrom and its environs.
The 600,000 Ghana cedi project is been financed by AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine.
At a sod cutting ceremony, Acting Managing Director of Iduapriem Mine, Mr. Samuel Noi, explained that the project was one of the mine’s interventions under the integrated health project aimed at increasing access to health care delivery in and the mines host communities and the a Tarkwa-Nsueam municipal as a whole.
According to him, the natives of Wangarakrom, Badukrom and Nkyemia have to travel beyond five kilometres to access basic health care.
He said the distance that one needs to travel sometimes by foot due to the bad nature of the road have several negatives impacts on health delivery in these areas.
Mr. Noi said those who fall sick and pregnant women due for labour have to seek the assistance of elderly women in the community believed to be experienced in child delivery.
He said community leaders realizing all these challenges sought to seek help from stakeholders into health care delivery.
The Acting General Manager noted that the community in collaboration with municipal health directorate rented a two bedroom facility in the community to house some health professionals and also serve as a Community Health Planning Service Centre.
The facility, he said was basically used for first aid and minor ailments because of its size and equipment available for operation.
Mr. Noi said leaders of the community therefore wrote to AngloGold community trust fund to support in the construction of a standard facility to improve upon health care in its catchment area.
He said the proposal upon several reviews by the steering committee in consultation with the Municipal Health Directorate recommended the proposal for approval by the board of directors.
The Board Chairman of AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Trust Fund, Professor Newton Amegbey said the project was expected to be completed and handed over to the beneficiaries through the municipal Health by December 2017.
He said the project would also serve more than 550 community members in and around the project area when completed.
Professor Amegbey was hopeful that the facility would go a lone to serve its intended purpose.
The Gyaasehene of Apinto Divisional Council, Nana Doctor Adarkwa Bediako commended the mines for the kind gesture.