Community-based Health Planning and Services has been good for Ghana – Dr Opari-Larbi
The introduction of the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Project has greatly contributed to the improvement of health services in the rural areas.
The observation was made by the Akuapem North District Director of Health Services, Dr Joseph Opari-Larbi, at the commissioning of a CHPS centre at Abonse.
He explained that the CHPS concept, which was adopted in 1999, was aimed at reducing barriers of geographical access to health care with the initial focus on deprived and remote areas.
The concept was based on the transformation of the primary health care system by shifting to a programme of a mobile-community based care provided by a resident nurse as opposed to the conventional facility-based and ‘outreach’ services.
He said the people of Abonse previously had to travel a long distance to access health care at the Aseseeso Health Center, which was the only facility near them.
Dr Opare-Larbi said the Ghana Health Service (GHS) was ensuring that at least every community would have a small health facility under the CHPS system.
Dr Opare-Larbi commended the people to collaborate with Ghana Health Service to provide accommodation for nurses and other facilitators to make the programme successful.
He also commended Mr Dan Botwe, Member of Parliament for Okere, for donating GH ¢3000 for the purchase of some items for the smooth running of the facility.
Mr Dan Botwe, for his part, commended the GHS for making it possible for the community to get the facility and pledged to support the development of the community.
He also praised the community for their self-help spirit and appealed to other communities to emulate their attitude.
Source: GNA