Yorogo gets Eye Clinic(D/G Saturday January 26, 2013)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga An eye clinic has been inaugurated at the Yorogo. The project, an Out Patience Department was constructed at the cost of GH¢ 209, 742.01 and funded by internally generated funds with support from Dutch based NGO, Geeze through the facilitation of Dr Jan Oosterink, a Dutch Philanthropists who worked in Bawku in the 1970s The facility has an improvised theatre, three consulting rooms, visual acuity room, staff common room, a pharmacy and offices for the Ophthalmologist in charge. A training centre estimated at GH ¢ 251,000.00 is also under construction. The clinic was established in 2008 housed in the Bolgatanga Presbyterian Health Centre premises. The initiative was that of the then Ophthalmologist in-charge, Dr Michael Gyasi who thought that the best way to increase access to eye patients was to have an annex of the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital Eye Clinic in Bolgatanga, especially following the 2007/2008 Bawku conflict that scared people from the rest of the region and beyond to visit the Bawku Hospital. Following an increase in attendance, management thought it wise to raise funds for the construction of a permanent site hence the acquisition of a 16 plots of Yorogo for that purpose. The Chairperson of the Upper Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Esmund Wasau Nagba, the Chief of Yorogo, Naba Johnson A. Awuni, the Deputy Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Ernest Opoku, The General Manager of the Presbyterian Health Service- Northern Sector, Mr. John Abugri, Dr Jan Oosterink and the Ophthalmologist in charge, Dr. Hornametor Afake were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion when the eye clinic was commissioned. The Ophthalmologist in-charge, Dr Hornametor Afake said the completion of a first phase of the project, which is an OPD, is the first step towards attaining the vision of becoming a centre of excellence not only for Ghana but on the West African Sub-region considering the successes chalked by the Bawku Eye Clinic which is renowned in Ghana. The General Manager of the Presbyterian Health Service- Northern Sector, Mr. John Abugri in his welcoming address, commended Dr Jan Oosterink for his invaluable contributions towards the development of the eye programmes in the region. He said it also signifies the churches commitment to provide social services to the society in addition to meeting their spiritual needs. The Chairperson of the Upper Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Esmund Wasau Nagba who inaugurated the facility said considering the fact that the centre is seeking to assume the role of a sub-regional facility, the church will welcome any assistance from will be very grateful to welcome and assistance from benevolent institutions and individuals, ad the government to uplift the centre. “This appeal notwithstanding, the church does not lose sight of the support by the by the Government by way of the salaries paid to the staff of the centre, just like all the other health workers of the Presbyterian Health Services-North numbering over 600,” he said. The Chief of Chief of Yorogo, Naba Johnson A. Awuni urged the people of area to see the centre as their own and contribute to it’s regular maintenance to ensure a long lifespan or the facilities. He also urged management to pay attention to sanitation and protect the environment. The Deputy Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Ernest Opoku Dr Oduro said since quality health care delivery depended on the facilities and equipment at the hospital, the management to should people centered through the provision of the best of services to patients to improve their health. He also encourage the people to enroll on the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable residents at the catchment’s area enjoy better health care delivery. Dr Jan Oosterink, expressed appreciation to the chiefs and people of the area for their contribution towards the establishment the Yorogo clinic in addition to that of Bawku and Garu and expressed optimism that by the year 2020, fully fledged training center will be established in the region to service the needs of the various eye clinics in the region to serve Ghana and West Africa.