Hichale, a Kalba-based non-governmental organization (NGO) in the savanna region, has broken ground on a new project to upgrade the Kunfusi community CHPS compound into a fully functional Health Centre.
This major intervention is set to transform healthcare delivery for the entire Kunfusi zone, which serves an estimated population of over 10,000 people.
To strengthen maternal, child, and general healthcare services, the upgraded facility will include: Additional wards and dedicated delivery spaces, Consulting and ANC/CWC areas, A new dispensary, Staff accommodation, and A dedicated motorbike to assist with local healthcare mobility.
The Managing Director of Hichale, Mr. Emmanuel Kuusani Dery, revealed that the project will cost the organization approximately GHS 676,000. He noted that the expansion aims to improve healthcare access and drastically reduce emergency referrals, particularly for mothers and children.
Mr. Dery extended his gratitude to the Diocese of Münster for funding the intervention through Hichale’s partners, Aktionskreis Pater Hagen and the Rut N Rock Association. He also thanked the District Health Directorate, traditional authorities, assembly members, and the Kunfusi community.
“As construction begins, we call on the community to continue supporting the project through unity, cooperation, and collective ownership so that together we can build a stronger and healthier future for our people,” Mr. Dery stated.
Representing the District Health Director, the District Health Administrator for Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, Mr. Adams Gbolo Abu, expressed deep gratitude to Hichale. He acknowledged the NGO’s long-standing history of renovating and building health facilities, noting that the District Assembly could not meet all these infrastructure needs alone.
Mr. Abu strongly urged the Kunfusi community to take full ownership of the project.
“At least if somebody gives you something and you support it, how well you support the project will motivate them to give you more,” he explained.
The contractor for the project, Mr. Dabuo Baanaah Joseph, Group CEO of Forever Green Limited and Forever Green Joe Ventures assured stakeholders of his commitment to high standards.
“I do not compromise on quality because doing shoddy work puts my company’s reputation at risk. I will deliver a high-quality project for you,” Mr. Joseph promised, while calling on community members to support his team during construction.
Currently, the Kunfusi CHPS zone serves about 10 communities, and staff have struggled to provide optimal care due to a massive population surge.
The facility’s In-Charge, Hamma Ishaque, shared some of the challenges the staff face daily. He revealed that the current setup lacks gender and age segregation for patients. Furthermore, due to a severe lack of staff housing, some clinical rooms had to be converted into living quarters.
Mr. Ishaque also noted that patient observation times are often cut short because beds need to be freed up quickly for incoming emergencies. He expressed immense gratitude to Hichale, stating that the nurses are eager to maximize their impact once the new facility is completed.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, the Chief of Kunfusi, Kunfusi Wurah Abudu Saaka Awusi, highlighted that the community has been appealing to benevolent organizations and the District Assembly for an upgrade since 2016 without success.
The Chief described himself as the happiest person in the community now that construction is finally starting. He verified the infrastructure crisis, explaining that patients were frequently discharged prematurely simply due to a lack of space, only to return the next day for further treatment.
To ensure the project’s success, Kunfusi Wurah Abudu Saaka assured Hichale that he will set up a local committee to provide manual labor and oversight. He issued a stern warning to residents, stating that anyone who refuses to support the construction efforts will face community sanctions.
