The new clinic at Tema Station, opposite the National Lotteries Authority (NLA)
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has opened a new clinic at the Tema lorry station in Accra as part of its initiative to bring healthcare closer to the people.
The GH¢50,000 facility, one of the 16 urban community health improvement service centres to be opened, is expected to serve as the health link between the Tema station populace, including traders, drivers and commuters and hospitals.
The centre is expected to serve as a start to the establishment of the rest of the 15 centres across the Greater Accra Region.
The clinic will be opened throughout the week from morning to evening and will provide various basic health needs for beneficiaries.
Dr Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyira, Director General of the GHS, said the completion of the clinic was in fulfillment of the health service’s dream of bringing healthcare right at the door steps of people who use the Tema station.
The GHS director general stated that in the long run, the influence of the facility would help traders and drivers maintain a very clean environment around the station.
He encouraged all members of the market, including the drivers to take the opportunity to visit the facility on regular basis to check their health, adding that they must maintain the facility in order for it to serve its intended purpose.
Dr Linda Van Otoo, Greater Accra Regional Director of GHS, speaking with the media at the launch of the facility, said the establishment of the health centre is to improve the health of key populations like traders and drivers who because of their work are unable to access primary healthcare.
“We decided to move a step further from going around the market to talk to people to actually establishing a health center here to provide basic healthcare services like family planning, malaria, HIV, TB and diabetes tests,” she said.
Dr Otoo further mentioned that the clinic, housed in a container with three cubicles, will also care for pregnant women and children.
She expressed appreciation to the leadership of Ghana Private Road Transport Union, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Market Women Association and all who helped the service realise the dream and asked for their continuous support.
She appealed to the health workers at the facility to maintain a cordial relationship with members of the stations, and urged the members of the station not to only visit the facility when they are sick but to make it a habit to go there regularly for medical checkups.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri