The people of Tinkong, a farming community in the Eastern Region, can now enjoy better health services, following the inauguration of a GHC75,000.00 four-seater modern toilet facility for the health centre.

The facility was provided by the Rotary Club of Accra Ring Road Central.

The health centre has over the years faced major challenges with lack of modern, hygienic toilet facilities for both patients and staff being one of them.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Sophia Winful, the Municipal Director of Health, Akuapim North stated: "The provision of this modern four- seater toilet facility is a big relief to us in terms of service delivery as clients and staff can now have access to clean toilets and potable water delivery.

She said the assistance provided by the Rotary Club of Accra Ring Road Central (RCC) would go a long way to provide superior hygienic working conditions for staff and parents especially during pregnancy deliveries.

In addition RRC in partnership with the Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) Ghana, provided members of the community with free medical health screening.

Mr Laud Ashon, the President of RRC in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said RRC became aware of the needs of the community through a member of the club who hails from Larteh in the region.

He said: "As Rotarians our work focuses on providing humanitarian services, with water and sanitation being one of our core focus areas.

“Supporting the provision of adequate health services is important to us, especially as it is core to child and maternal health care. We are happy to have brought smiles to the faces of community members in Tinkong,” he said.

Mr Ashon said the project and health screening was part of the club's 30th anniversary celebrations and yet another indicator of RRC’s commitment to providing service above self.

Speaking about the health screening, Mr Ashon told the GNA that RRC and WiLDAF invited the Tinkong community to the health screening with approximately 300 communities being screened for blood pressure, blood sugar, and hepatitis.

He said a team of medical doctors and other medical personnel from Accra were part of the exercise and provided consultancy to patients, offering treatment and medicine to those who needed it.

The medical team also delivered health talks on breast cancer and hepatitis.

Mr Frank Bodza, the Programmes Manager in-charge of the Maternal Health Project at WiLDAF Ghana, said the collaboration with RRC was a way of building upon WiLDAF's previous projects of providing better health assistance to pregnant women and lactating mothers, which started in 2013 with support from the European Union.

He said the programme would help the two groups to educate, sensitise and mobilise women especially pregnant women.

Mr Bodza encouraged women visit medical centres regularly especially when they are pregnant.

"We will continue to do the education, our volunteers are a6lready here to help and continue from here," he said.

Nana Kwaku Peprah, the Twafohene of Tinkong, lauded RRC for bringing relief to the community two months of being made aware of their plight.

He urged the community members to take the health screening exercise seriously, adding: "Use this opportunity to visit the centre freely today for all your negative health conditions to be known and let's make it a regular decision to help save ourselves."

Dr Frank Kpesenu, a Medical Officer at the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital, told the GNA that hypertension and body aches were some of the major leading cases that were detected throughout the screening.

"But with those that need referrals, they are going to be referred for extensive follow-ups at Koforidua Hospital," he said.

Dr Kpesenu advised the community members to have thorough exercise, adequate rest and to eat a balanced diet.

Mr John Akisi, the Assembly Man of Tinkong, thanked RRC for helping the clinic to receive a status it requires especially when it serves about six communities.

“They have done a better job for the clinic and it will be able to serve the purpose for which it was established," he said.

Mr Akisi said the health screening was a laudable initiative as most parents who believe in herbal treatment came along with their children for orthodox treatment.

Some beneficiaries who spoke to the GNA expressed happiness for the exercise.

The theme for RRC's anniversary celebrations is:"30 Years of Serving Humanity and its climax would be a fundraising gala in June.

The Rotary Club, founded in the United States, brings together global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges.

It connects 1.2 million members of more than 34, 000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas to help improve lives at both the local and international levels.