Residents of Ataso, a farming community in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region, are grappling with severe health challenges due to the absence of a health facility in the area.
Some residents who spoke to Citi News indicated that they are forced to travel long distances, often on challenging roads, to access basic healthcare, a situation that has proven dangerous, particularly during emergencies.
According to them, the nearest health centre is several kilometres away, and the only means of transport available are motorbikes, which they describe as unsafe, especially for expectant mothers and the sick.
Akosua Biyaa, a resident, bemoaned, “Accessing healthcare is very difficult for us. When I was pregnant, I had to go all the way to Akonkye for medical care. Transportation was expensive, and when I went into labour at dawn, there was no vehicle available to take me there. The motorbike that carried me already had two other passengers. Just as I got off the bike, I delivered, right in front of the hospital entrance.
Another resident, Sophia Appiah, lamented, “It is very difficult for us to access medical care. When there is no motorcycle available, getting a car is almost impossible. Sometimes, we have to walk to another town just to find a vehicle. We are, therefore, appealing to the government to provide us with a health facility to help meet our healthcare needs.”
Akwasi Awuah, Unit Committee Chairman, Ataso, complained, “Our biggest challenge is the lack of a healthcare facility. The nearest health centres are in Saakrom, Akonkye, or Kotokuom. Vehicles rarely come to our community, so when someone falls sick, the only option is to take an Okada. It’s very difficult for us. A trip to Saakrom alone costs at least 50Gh, meaning three passengers would pay about 150Gh. In the evenings, the fare can rise to 100Gh per passenger. The cost is simply unbearable.
Akwasi Awuah appealed to the government for assistance.
“We are appealing to the government and the Regional Minister to come to our aid. We have already secured and prepared an acre piece of land, and we have gathered 100 bags of cement, 100 iron rods, and about 1,300 blocks, all ready to be used for the construction of a CHPS Compound.”