Males, Females share one ward at Ataase Nkwanta health centre

Inadequate facilities at the Ataase Nkwanta Health Centre in the Adansi South District of the Ashanti Region has compelled the authorities of the centre to accommodate both males and females in the same ward.

This situation does not only affect the privacy of patients admitted to the ward but also undermines quality healthcare delivery.

Some of the male patients are made to sleep on benches on the corridors of the ward at the mercy of the weather when the place is full.

The medical assistant in charge of the health centre, Madam Elizabeth Yeboah, who made this known at the commissioning of a toilet facility for the staff of the hospital, added that, the only ward which is being used by both males and females has four beds and the place also serves as a records room.

She added that although the centre has no out-patients department, they receive at least 50 patients a day from the 53 communities they serve in the district and even beyond.

Madam Elizabeth said sometimes the patients have to sit in the sun and wait for their turn due to inadequate of space.

According to her, pregnant women who go to the health centre to deliver have to do so in turns because there is only one delivery table and equipment.

“Sometimes we get as many as seven delivery cases at a time and some women have to deliver on plastic sheets spread on the floor,” she said.

She added that although the New Edubiase Government Hospital is close to the centre, patients referred there refuse to go because of congestion.

She therefore called on the general public to come to the aid of the hospital.

The Member of Parliament for Adansi South Constituency, Ernest Kofi Yakah, expressed shock at the situation, describing it as unfortunate.

He promised to help address the problem sooner than later.

The District Chief Executive, Mr Benjamin Anhwere, said the promotion of quality healthcare was the priority of the district, and he was therefore going to liaise with the MP to give the centre a facelift.