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Health service delivery in parts of the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba is under serious threat following the eruption of a land dispute in Gbenyiri, which has forced the closure of some key health facilities including the St. Joseph Health Centre in Kalba, the epicenter of the conflict.
According to the Diocesan Health Director of the Damongo Catholic Diocese, Mr. Aiden Ngmenbon, the conflict has not only endangered lives but has also crippled access to critical healthcare services for hundreds of people, especially women, children, the elderly, and patients with chronic illnesses.
“We had to shut down St. Joseph Health Centre for the safety of our staff. Health workers fled for their lives,” Mr. Ngmenbon revealed during a media briefing.
“Now the real question is what happens to those in dire need of medical care in that area?”
The closure has led to a ripple effect across the sawla -Tuna – Kalba, putting immense pressure on neighboring facilities such as the Good Shepherd Health Centre in Tuna and the Holy Family Polyclinic in Kulmasa, which remain operational but are struggling to cope with the increased patient load.
Adding to the concern, the St. Joseph facility was undergoing a critical upgrade into a primary level hospital, a project now at risk of stalling due to the unrest.
“If the situation doesn’t calm down soon, construction work will be forced to stop, and that’s not something we can afford,” Ngmenbon warned.
Beyond the hospital closures, the conflict has affected even the smallest community-based health services.
“CHPS compounds under the Ghana Health Service in the area have also shut down,” he disclosed.
This leaves large populations, including displaced persons in makeshift camps, without basic healthcare.
Refugee camps are particularly vulnerable, with overcrowding, poor sanitation, and limited medical resources creating a potential breeding ground for disease outbreaks.
“We haven’t recorded any major disease outbreak yet, but the conditions are ripe for it,” Ngmenbon cautioned.
He said overcrowding in tents, increases the risk and spread of airborne disease.
In response, the Diocesan Health Directorate has taken some emergency measures.
An ambulance has been stationed near Kalba to evacuate critical cases to functioning health centers. Plans are also underway to extend healthcare services directly to refugee camps, particularly child welfare and antenatal services.
Ngmenbon urged all health stakeholders, including CHAG, Ghana Health Service, NGOs in health, CSOs and the Sawla District Health Directorate, to work together and restore essential health services.
He also issued a health advisory for refugees:
• Use mosquito nets to prevent malaria
• Avoid open defecation which can potentially contaminate food and water which could possibly lead to faeco-oral diseases
• Maintain basic hygiene practices to limit possible disease spread
“Everyone has a role to play to prevent the next crisis—which could be a public health emergency,” he concluded.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
