Installation of Solar Systems for Health facilities commendable- Dr Awoonor-Williams

2010 Installation of Solar Systems for Health facilities commendable- Dr Awoonor-Williams
The Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, John Koku Awoonor-Williams has commended government’s effort in the provision of Solar PV facilities to health centres across the country. This, initiative by the government, he said, would facilitate the smooth running of the various Community Base Health Care Services (CHPS) compounds manned by health officers and community health nurses at the various localities in the country. Dr Awoonor-Williams made this recommendation at the inauguration of solar systems for remote health facilities at Doninga, a community in the Builsa District of the Upper East Region. Dr Awoonor-Williams noted that the majority of the rural health facilities in the Upper East Region were without energy supply, stressing that the installation of solar facilities which comprises of a vaccine refrigerators, compound and indoor lighting for the centre would help address the problem of unnecessary referrals and even mortality among children under five years. He pointed out that lack of energy supply coupled with the frequent power fluctuation mostly experienced at the various health centres in the region, has grossly affected health care delivery, thereby, contributing to doctors and other health personnel refusal to accept postings to these facilities, particularly, the CHPS compound, where quality and safe health care are delivered at the door step of the people. This, situation, according to Dr Awoonor –Williams also gave rise to vacation of post by health personnel during weekends thus, interrupting health service delivery and general productivity. He, however, praised the level of effective partnership by the health sector, Ministry of Energy, the World Bank and development partners for playing a pivoted role in ensuring that basic health care delivery is accessible to all in the country. Dr Awoonor-Williams disclosed that the Ministry of Health in partnership with other donor agencies, have put in place planned preventive maintenance systems to cater and manage all health facilities in the country of which some personnel have been given the needed training in that aspect. The Energy Minister, Dr Oteng Adjei, in and address indicated that 29 communities in 8 districts of the Upper East Region are currently beneficiaries of the solar systems of which plans are afoot to extend it other parts of the three northern and Brong Ahafo regions.
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