Coalition of NGOs in Health makes impact in Upper East

Bolgatanga, Dec. 26, GNA - The Upper East Region branch of the Coalition of NGOs in Health, has successfully lobbied various district assemblies in the region, to complete health related projects which would have been abandoned or extended for no apparent reason.

The Regional Executive of the Coalition, who disclosed this during the coalition's regional annual review meeting, held in Bolgatanga, on Thursd= ay, stated that, they were able to lobby the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly to complete four out of the Seven Community based Health Planning Service Compounds (CHPS) that were abandoned since 2007.

Mr Thomas Abagmbire, Administrative Secretary, who read the statement, indicated that, the four CHPS were now in full use and were servicing the health needs of the people, adding that, this had helped improve the health needs of the people in those beneficiary communities. He indicated that the Coalition also embarked upon vigorous education campaigns in most of the Districts in the Region, during the Measles vaccination exercise.

The Coalition, he noted also embarked on radio programmes, to educate communities on Communicable diseases, which were so prevalent in the region= , adding that, the education programme had helped reduce communicable disease= s in the Region. Mr Abagmbire said, the group again managed to persuade the Municipal Assembly to provide refuse containers for the Bolgatanga Nursing Training College in the region, and that, the Assembly has agreed to construct a standard public place of convenience for by the students. He noted that, the coalition had participated in many regional Health forums, organized by the Regional Health Directorate, and made a lot of inputs towards the development of the health sector.

He said, through the group's active participation in these programme= s, nurses and doctors have now intensified their respect for the patient in many of the health facilities in the Region, adding that, the Coalition had also impressed upon the Regional Health Directorate to introduce physician training programmes in health institutions in the region. He noted that the Coalition's efforts had been acknowledged by the Regional Health Directorate and that they have promised to open a desk office at the Regional Health Directorate to address concerns related to health issues.

He said the Regional Health Directorate has also made the Coalition a member of the Regional Iodated Committee and they now attend the Directorate's stakeholders meetings.

Mr Jonathan Adabre, Regional Chairman of the Coalition, told the Members that, plans were far advanced by the National Coalition to draw broad goals that would serve as a guide, for the operation of the Coalition= ..

Mr Noble Asakeya Alagskomah, Regional Vice Chairman of the coalition, tasked members to work hard in their respective areas, and that, health issues were so complicated that they could not be left only in the hands of the Ghana health Service. He appealed to members to pay their dues regularly to help the Coalition to run its activities smoothly. 26 Dec. 10

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