Residents of Apitikoko, Dokyiwaa and Binsere in the Obuasi Municipality of the Ashanti Region can now access quality healthcare closer to home following the commissioning of two new health centres by AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine.
The facilities, located at Apitikoko and Dokyiwaa/Binsere, are expected to end years of hardship for residents who previously travelled about 16 kilometres to access basic healthcare services.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Fred Adomako Boateng, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system through collaboration with stakeholders to achieve universal health coverage.
He said the Ghana Health Service continues to work closely with development partners and private organisations to improve healthcare infrastructure, provide better diagnostic equipment and strengthen community-based healthcare delivery across the region.
AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine said the construction of the two health centres forms part of its 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan, which prioritises investments in healthcare infrastructure to improve access to quality medical services for host communities and surrounding areas.
The Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, Ing. Samuel Boakye Pobee, reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting the socio-economic development of its host communities through strategic investments in health, education and other critical sectors.
He noted that one of the company’s objectives is to help improve the doctor-to-patient ratio in the Obuasi Municipality, which currently stands at approximately 1 doctor per 10,000 patients.
According to him, AngloGold Ashanti aims to support efforts to reduce the ratio to one doctor for every 6,000 patients within the next five years, thereby improving access to healthcare for residents.
The Chief of Adansi Dompoase, Okofo Kwabena Bonsu II, commended AngloGold Ashanti for responding to the healthcare needs of the communities through the construction of the facilities.
He said the intervention would significantly reduce travel time for residents seeking medical care and improve access to essential health services.
The chief also appealed to the Obuasi Municipal Assembly to make effective use of its road construction equipment to rehabilitate the feeder road leading to the communities and the newly commissioned health centres to ensure easy access for residents and emergency services.