Rehabilitation of Klefe Clinic raises attendance

The rehabilitation of the Klefe Community Clinic, which is about 10 minutes drive from Ho, has resulted in a marked increase in patronage.

Madam Patrina Gadze, Clinic Superintendent, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Thursday that, figures of below 100 monthly had picked up to 160 in March, this year.

The rehabilitation was done under the auspices of “The African Challenge,” an Accra-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with funding from the Australian High Commission, under its Direct Aid Programme.

Madam Patrina said she believed attendance would rise further to ease the pressure on the Ho Municipal Hospital to focus on the treatment of complicated health conditions.

Equipment presented to the clinic as part of the rehabilitation include obstetrics gadgets and furniture for the Out-Patients Department at a total cost of GH¢17,000.

Madam Gadze said, the clinic was yet to be given a midwife to handle obstetric cases.

When contacted, Dr Atsu Seake-Kwawu, Ho Municipal Director of Ghana Health Service told the GNA that, his promise to facilitate the posting of a midwife to the Klefe Clinic when he commissioned the rehabilitation works, was still valid.

He said that Klefe would surely get a midwife in the postings soon to be done by the Ghana Health Service.

During the commissioning ceremony, Dr Seake-Kwawu suggested the passage of laws to ban traditional birth attendants from conducting deliveries because that decision would compel pregnant women to seek professional guidance at the various health facilities and curtail the rising incidence of maternal deaths.

John Adza, Executive Director of “The African Challenge”, said the project was in line with his group’s passion for working to reduce maternal and infant deaths in the country.

He appealed to the Klefe Community to patronize the clinic to justify additional equipment and also compel the Municipal Health Directorate to post a midwife and laboratory technician to the centre.

Mr Ian Gould, Third Secretary at the Australian High Commission, who represented the High Commissioner, said “support for this project aligns with Australia’s commitment to supporting Ghana achieve its Millennium Development Goals, including the area of child and maternal health.”**