Anglogold Ashanti Ghana, Obuasi Mine has officially commissioned a refurbished health facility at Anyinam a suburb of Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.

 

The refurbishment, which cost over GH¢700,000, saw the addition and upgrading of the health facility from a clinic to a health centre to provide enhanced healthcare services to the residents of Anyinam and surrounding communities beyond antenatal and post-natal care.

 

The new additions include a placenta pit, which allow medical waste to degrade naturally, an in-house laboratory, a dispensary, two additional consulting rooms, an additional washroom, six (6) fitted air conditioners and a sluice room that would cater for the safe and efficient disposal of human waste, to prevent the spread of infection.

 

At a short ceremony to hand over the facility to the Ghana Health Service, the Senior Manager-Sustainability, Anglogold Ashanti Ghana Emmanuel Baidoo, thanked the Ghana Health Service, the Obuasi Municipal Assembly, Nananom and the Anyinam community for the peaceful coexistence that exist between the community and the mine and in particular their support towards the implementation of the mines 10-year Socio-Economic Development plan.

 

 

He underscored the importance of quality and affordable healthcare to development and reiterated that since "Improved Accessibility to Quality Healthcare" is a key investment area to AngloGold Ashanti under its 10-year socio-economic development plan, it was appropriate that the company supported the refurbishment and improve the clinics amenities to benefit the community and others in addressing their health needs and accommodate the growing population of Anyinam.

 

He was optimistic that the upgrading of the facilities at the health centre, will among other things, provide residents of Anyinam access to timely and quality health service instead of travelling far to receive medical attention.

 

Mr. Baidoo further urged the management of the health centre to ensure the facility is well-managed to continue to serve future generations.

 

In an interview with the media, the Senior Manager, Sustainability announced AngloGold Ashantis committed to improving healthcare in Obuasi through collaborations with relevant entities.

 

“In partnership with GIZ, we have trained 150 health professionals on infectious disease prevention, cervical cancer, and maternal health. We have also conducted screenings for 8,000 people, registered them for the National Health Insurance scheme, and distributed medical equipment to health facilities”.

 

Still on health intervention measures, Mr. Baidoo disclosed that AngloGold Ashanti in 2021 collaborated with the AGA Community Trust Fund to construct a modern maternal health facility that is currently catering for individuals from distant locations such as the western region.

 

Mr. Elijah Adansi-Bonah, the Chief Executive (MCE) for Obuasi Municipal lauded AngloGold Ashanti for their efforts in supporting the community by providing infrastructure to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare services to the people.

 

Nana Guahyia Oduropanin Birikorang, Edubiasehene on his part highlighted the significance of healthcare and commended AngloGold Ashanti for renovating the Anyinam Clinic and the benefits it will provide to the community.

 

He further urged AngloGold Ashanti to consider upgrading the facility to a hospital status due to the growing population.