A new clinic block valued at GH? 137,659.15 has been inaugurated at Yendi, in the Northern Region.

The facility comprises two consulting rooms, pharmacy, laboratory, male and female wards dispensary, observation ward, records, registry, accounts and wash rooms.

Mr Peter Konabur Bombande, Acting Clinic Director, said the clinic was built through donations from the United States and other philanthropists.

He said the project started in the 1980s when the late Mrs Clinderilla Reynolds from the Church of Christ Mission in the US visited the area and carried out mobile clinic services.

He said it was the period when guinea worm was a major problem in the country.

Mr. Bombande said the clinic has grown and developed from a zero bed facility to 30 beds, with the staff strength of 20 in addition to a maternity unit of 14 beds.

He appealed for X – ray unit and a stand by high capacity generator and housing for the staff.

Mr Bombande announced that the clinic is now poised to run a 24 hour services to cater for both out and in patients.

In an address read on his behalf the Regent of Dagbon Kampakuya Na Yakubu Abdulai Andani said the Church of Christ Mission has contributed to the expansion and delivery of health services in Yendi and expressed gratitude to the mission.

He said it is truism that government alone cannot handle the expansion of health delivery across the country.

In a speech read on his behalf Mr Issah Zakaria Municipal Chief Executive said health care is indispensable in nation building, since it has direct bearing on the people.

He said it is for this reason that government has placed health care as one of its top priorities on its development.

Mr. Tom Dabney Carr Executive Director of International Health Care Foundation (IHCF), who inaugurated the facility with Mr Bombande, said he was proud to see the new clinic block in place.

He said although Yendi has a hospital the clinic is there to complement health sector services.

Mr Carr said the facility now has the necessary machines for testing hepatitis B and there is no need for people to go to Tamale Teaching Hospital for the test.

He announced that IHCF based in the US, is sponsoring nursing and medical students in the municipality.

Madam Patricia Awo, Municipal Public Health Nurse said the clinic would decongest the Yendi Municipal Hospital, which is always crowded.

Madam Patricia advised the management of the clinic to create an adolescent corner for the facility.

She expressed concern that most women in the area are not practicing family planning, which has created a problem for parents who cannot pay school fees for their numerous children.