The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ekumfi Constituency, Hon. Dr. Othniel Ekow Kwainoe, together with the District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Ismaeel Nana Asamoah, and the Nananom of the Ekumfi Traditional Area, has officially commissioned what has been described as the first Free Primary Healthcare Post in the Central Region at Essarkyir, the capital of the Ekumfi District.
The facility is expected to improve access to affordable and quality basic healthcare for residents of Essarkyir and surrounding communities, particularly by bringing essential healthcare services closer to people who may otherwise face financial and geographical barriers.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Kwainoe expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for the initiative and for his commitment to making free primary healthcare accessible to communities across the country.
He described the establishment of the facility as a significant intervention for the Ekumfi District and commended individuals, institutions and stakeholders whose collective efforts contributed to its realisation.
“I am very delighted for the strength, effort and dedication we have all provided to support this facility,” Dr. Kwainoe said.
The MP urged residents of Essarkyir and surrounding communities to take full advantage of the opportunity by patronising the facility and making good use of the services available.
Dr. Kwainoe further disclosed that data from the Ekumfi District Health Directorate indicates encouraging enrolment figures under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), describing the development as an indication of the growing demand for healthcare services in the district.
He also revealed that the government has mandated the construction of additional Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds in the district as part of efforts to expand healthcare delivery at the community level.
According to him, CHPS facilities at Ekumfi Akotsi, Asokwa and Adansiman are expected to be commissioned and handed over to the communities soon.
He added that preparations were also underway for a sod-cutting ceremony for another CHPS compound at Ekumfi Akwakrom, while stakeholders are considering Asaman or Ekrawfo and Atakwa for additional projects.
The MP stressed that good health was fundamental to sustainable development, arguing that the district could not achieve meaningful progress without ensuring the wellbeing of its people.
“Good health is fundamental to the development of Ekumfi. Without accessible, quality healthcare for our people, our development efforts cannot achieve their full potential. The health and wellbeing of our people must therefore remain a priority. When Ekumfi District is healthy, thriving and progressing, I, Dr. Kwainoe, am also at my best,” he said.
Traditional Council calls for District Hospital
Speaking on behalf of the Paramount Chief of the Ekumfi Traditional Area, HRM Odeefo Akyin VIII, the Twafohen of Ekumfi Traditional Area and Chief of Ekumfi Eyisam, Elder Nana Impream VIII, expressed gratitude to the government, the MP, the DCE and other stakeholders for siting the healthcare facility at Essarkyir.
He, however, expressed concern that Essarkyir, despite being the capital of the Ekumfi District, had for years lacked a major health facility capable of meeting the needs of residents.
Nana Impream VIII therefore appealed to the government to urgently establish a District Hospital in Essarkyir.
“Essarkyir is the capital of the Ekumfi District, yet we cannot boast of a health facility. We are therefore calling on the government to urgently provide us with a District Hospital. We want this project to be captured in the 2027 Budget. If we do not see it included, then you should not expect to come here again oo,” he said.
He also welcomed the newly posted healthcare workers to the Ekumfi District and urged them to consider themselves sons and daughters of the area.
Nana Impream VIII appealed to the health workers to serve residents with love, patience and respect, stressing that Ekumfi is known for its hospitality.
He further commended the MP, DCE and the Ekumfi District Health Directorate and appealed to them not to abandon the newly established facility.
According to him, the facility would require staff accommodation, a reliable supply of medicines, a permanent structure and sustained attention to sanitation and hygiene to ensure that it remains effective and beneficial to the people.
Health Directorate pledges support
Speaking on behalf of the Ekumfi District Health Directorate, Dr. Regina Ahunu-Armah expressed appreciation to the Nananom and elders of Essarkyir for providing land for the facility at no cost.
She said the gesture demonstrated the commitment of traditional leaders and community stakeholders towards improving healthcare delivery in the district.
Dr. Ahunu-Armah acknowledged that although the Health Directorate was doing its best to provide healthcare services to residents, challenges remained, particularly in ensuring that everyone had timely access to appropriate health services.
She identified inadequate financial resources as one of the major barriers preventing some residents from accessing healthcare when needed.
She therefore encouraged residents to take advantage of the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, describing it as an important opportunity to strengthen the healthcare system, particularly at the community level.
She said the initiative would not only improve access to treatment but also strengthen preventive healthcare, health education and early detection of illnesses.
The commissioning of the facility marks an important step in efforts to expand primary healthcare delivery in the Ekumfi District and reduce the distance residents have to travel to access essential medical services.
Stakeholders at the ceremony expressed optimism that with sustained government support, community participation and adequate resourcing, the facility would contribute significantly to improving the health and wellbeing of residents while complementing ongoing efforts to expand healthcare infrastructure across Ekumfi.
