Banda Ahenkro (B/A), May 31, GNA- The Ghana Health Service has handed over a multi-million-cedi Health Centre to the people at Banda Ahenkro in Brong Ahafo.

Osabarima Okokyeredom Kwadwo Sito I, Omanhene of Banda Traditional Area, who received the keys to the facility from Mr Ebenezer Awuku, Estate Officer of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in Sunyani in turn handed them over to the health personnel in-charge of the Centre. The Omanhene commended the government and the GHS for the provision of the facility, as well as Dr Kofi Asare, Ashanti Regional Director of the Service for his immense contribution towards the completion of the project.

Osabarima Kwadwo Sito noted that the people suffered unnecessary health hazards as the nearest hospital was at Wenchi, about 50 kilometres away.

He said: "Due to the poor road network, patients often died before arrival at the hospital, while some of them develop complications that make their treatment more difficult and expensive".

Osabarima Kwadwo Sito said the provision of the health centre had exhibited the sensitivity of the NPP government to the plight of the chiefs and people of Banda Traditional Area.

He appealed to the Regional Health Directorate to post a qualified Health Assistant to the Centre.

Osabarima Kwadwo Sito promised to personally head a committee to ensure the regular maintenance of the facility and advised the people to make the culture of maintenance to be part of their lives.

He advised the people to take the campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDS seriously as there was no known cure for the pandemic. Mr Awuku advised the people to embrace the Ghana Health Insurance Scheme to make health affordable and expressed regret that many deaths that occurred under the cash and carry system could have been avoided. He asked them to keep their surroundings tidy and called on women in the area to take attendance at antenatal clinics seriously to reduce maternal deaths during childbirth.

Mr Osei Bonsu of Arc Team Consultancy Services, consultant for the project, advised the people to make the culture of maintenance to be part of their daily lives to ensure the longer lifespan of the centre as well as all other government buildings in the area.