The Upper East and North East Regional Health Directorates have jointly received GH¢43.5 million worth of logistics from the Korea International Cooperation Agency(KOICA) and UNICEF to help improve health care through the Community Health Planning and Services (CHPS) concept.
CHPS concept was introduced in 1999 with the Upper East Region said to have made significant improvement in health care through CHPS to become a model region in implementing the strategy.
The concept is to ensure mobilization of community leadership, local community resources, placement of health personnel, logistics, and the involvement of community health volunteers in a bid to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
On this basis, the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) adopted over 120 CHPS Compounds under phase 1 of Health System Strengthening that focused on Maternal and Child Health in 2016, which would end in 2020.
As part of the initiative, the Agency supported the Ghana Health Service with various logistics including motorbikes, and motor king ambulances among others, building the capacity of community health volunteers, community health officers, and community health management committee members leading to the region achieving 100% functional CHPS Zones.
Under Phase 2 dubbed Community Based Primary Health Care Strengthening Project, KOICKA and UNICEF donated logistics including, pick trucks, motorbikes, bicycle, mobile phones, flashlights, laptops, handwash basins, knapsack sprayers among other items and equipment for various health facilities in both regions.
Per the distribution, the Upper East Region will receive 2 pickup trucks, 100 motorbikes, 630 Wellington boots, 630 bicycles, 630 flashlights, 17 laptops, 630 mobile phones and other logistics and medical equipment to be supplied to various health facilities in the region as the health directorate adopts what has become known as Network of practice.
Speaking Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at a brief handing over ceremony, the Upper East Regional Director of Health Service, Dr. Samuel Boakye-Boateng, says the gesture is timely and comes at a time the directorate as part of phase 2 of the CHPS project seeks to improve Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health in the region.
According to him, these items among other initiatives will go a long way to make the Upper East Region a preferred Health destination as he assures them of the directorate’s resolve to maintain and sustain the various initiatives aimed at improving quality healthcare.
“The of phase 2 is to improve Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health in the Upper East Region through CHPS strengthening, with the three outcomes of community involvement and supporting the CHPS system, improving the quality of service at health facilities and strengthening the health system environment. With your support, per our strategic plan which is in development, Upper East Region intends to be the best destination for healthcare in Ghana.” The Regional Director emphasized.
Having provided funding for the purchase of the items, the Country Director of KOICKA, Donghyun Lee, said KOICA is proud to partner in strengthening Ghana’s primary healthcare system adding the items are provided with other aspects including human resource capacity building, provision of health equipment to ensure quality healthcare services for all Ghanaians especially people in underserved communities.
“These supplies are provided together with other aspects such as human resource capacity building, infrastructure, and provision of health equipment as part of a holistic approach that the Korean government takes to ensure quality healthcare services for all Ghanaians especially those in underserved communities.” He stated.
On his part, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Bhanu Pathak, noted that the logistics are expected to enhance the capacity of health facilities and workers to provide quality health services.
