The Amansie Central District Assembly has commissioned and handed over a refurbished health centre at Jacobu, significantly boosting access to primary healthcare and emergency medical services for residents of the community and surrounding areas.
The facility, converted from Jacobu’s former court building that had remained abandoned for more than a decade, is expected to reduce the burden on residents who previously had to travel long distances to Bekwai and other communities to access essential healthcare services.
The refurbished Jacobu Health Centre has male and female wards, an Antenatal Care (ANC) unit, labour ward, waiting area, consulting rooms, records and accounts departments, as well as an integrated ambulance service centre to strengthen emergency response.
The facility was officially commissioned at a ceremony attended by traditional and Muslim leaders, representatives of the Member of Parliament, assembly members, district officials, health professionals and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the ceremony, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie Central, Hon. Emmanuel Obeng-Agyemang, described the transformation of the abandoned court building into a health facility as a significant milestone in the district’s efforts to improve access to quality healthcare.
He said the project represented the transformation of a former symbol of justice into a centre dedicated to protecting lives and improving the health and well-being of residents.
According to him, the decision to convert the structure was the result of deliberate planning, leadership and collaboration aimed at addressing the healthcare needs of Jacobu and neighbouring communities.
He said the project also aligns with the government’s broader agenda to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and bring essential health services closer to communities.
“The Jacobu Health Centre stands as a living testimony to this national agenda of bringing healthcare closer to the people and ensuring that health is not a privilege but a right,” Mr Obeng-Agyemang said.
Ambulance Service to Boost Emergency Response
The DCE announced that the facility also houses a fully operational ambulance service centre, which is expected to improve emergency medical response within Jacobu and other parts of the district.
He said the ambulance service would enable health professionals to respond more quickly to critical cases and facilitate the timely referral of patients requiring advanced medical attention.
To support the commencement of operations, Mr Obeng-Agyemang announced a personal donation of GH¢10,000 as seed capital for the procurement of essential medicines and non-consumable medical supplies.
He reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to expanding healthcare infrastructure, improving education and advancing sustainable development across the Amansie Central District.
The DCE also urged residents to take advantage of the new facility by seeking early medical attention, attending scheduled clinics and embracing preventive healthcare practices.
He acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Rural Development, Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene, traditional authorities, assembly members and other stakeholders who contributed to the completion of the project.
He further commended the Assembly’s Works and Planning departments, contractors and traditional leaders for their respective roles in transforming the abandoned building into a functional healthcare facility.
Mr Obeng-Agyemang disclosed that health professionals had already been deployed to the centre to ensure the immediate commencement of healthcare services.
17 Health Personnel Deployed
The Amansie Central District Director of Health, Mr Oppong Aprem Twum Ahmed, said the facility would significantly ease the difficulties residents encounter when travelling to Bekwai and other towns for medical attention.
He noted that malaria remains a major health concern in the area and stressed that the facility would particularly benefit pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and other vulnerable residents who previously had to travel considerable distances for healthcare.
Mr Ahmed confirmed that 17 health personnel had been deployed to support the operations of the centre.
The Presiding Member of the Amansie Central District Assembly, Hon. Isaac Osei Duah, urged health professionals posted to the facility to uphold high standards of professionalism and provide patients with quality and compassionate care.
He also appealed to residents to take ownership of the health centre, protect its equipment and infrastructure, and ensure the facility is properly maintained for future generations.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional authorities, the Chief of Jacobu, Nana Adu Darko III, expressed gratitude to the government, the DCE and the District Assembly for responding to the healthcare needs of the community.
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He assured the Assembly and health authorities of the traditional leadership’s commitment to working closely with management to protect the facility and ensure its long-term sustainability.
The commissioning of the Jacobu Health Centre is expected to strengthen primary healthcare delivery in the area, improve emergency response and provide residents with easier access to essential medical services closer to their homes.
Story by Anita Frimpong
