World Vision Ghana/Korea in partnership with KIA has handed over the KIA Green Light Health Project to people of Saamang and its surrounding communities in the Osino sub-district of the Fanteakwa South District Assembly in the Eastern region.

The project which started in July 2018 and ended on June 2023, included a fully furnished Health Center, Health staff accommodation facilities, a 2000-bird capacity poultry farm, Procured Mobile Health Clinic van, Medical equipment and supplies and 2000 poultry birds.

The project which cost US$1, 090,000 was purposed to improve access to quality health care services, reduce maternal and child mortality and mobility.

It is also expected to reduce the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases among children under five and to reduce malnutrition among children under five in the beneficiary communities.

Other partners of the project included Ghana Health Service (GHS), Department of Agriculture, Fanteakwa South District Assembly, Kibi Gold Fields, BSD Support Services, Transeco Minerals and Mines Company and the Project communities.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the National Director of World Vision Ghana, Madam Laura Del Valle said the project started following the request from the GHS to provide health facilities to support comprehensive care for community members.

She said, in collaboration with KIA and other partners, the project which started five years ago, has been completed, adding that additional activities including capacity building for institutions, community, and household levels in health, nutrition and advocacy has been done.

She hoped that the health facility would improve health care services in the area and the 2000 bird capacity poultry farm would generate additional funding to ensure continuous operationalization of the health facilities, Saamang development projects and maintenance of the poultry farm.

“World Vision Ghana/Korea and partners will continue to promote the health and wellbeing of the people of Fanteakwa South District and Ghana at large. We are excited to work together towards the universal health coverage by the WHO,” the National Director of World Vision Ghana stated.

For his part, the Integrated Programmes Director for the KIA Green Light Health Project, Justice Baidoo said, the project achievements were envisaged to serve the Osino sub-district and beyond.

He revealed that a total of 21, 227 people were expected to benefit directly from the project, while 37, 145 would indirectly benefit as well.

“We believe the achievements will help households improve their health, nutrition and increase household’s income among others,” he said.

The Deputy Director- General of the GHS who represented the Director General of the GHS, Dr Antony Adofo Ofosu expressed gratitude to the World Vision, KIA and its partners, for their hard work and dedication in making the project come to pass.

He indicated that the GHS was mandated to deliver quality health care to the people in the community and country, “however, improving on health infrastructure is critical in facilitating this asset but given our limited budget for capital expenditure it has been difficult to expand the health infrastructure at the planned pace that we would have loved.”

He stated that the GHS appreciated any support they received from stakeholders and entreated other stakeholders with the means to also come on board to support the GHS to provide access to quality health care for all communities in Ghana.

The Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Kofi Agyekum thanked the donors and partners for their kind gesture and promised to keep good maintenance of the facilities.

From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Saamang