Muntaka commissions Qatar Charity-funded polyclinic at Ayigya Zongo
Kumasi, Oct. 2, GNA – Mr Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, Minister for the Interior and Member of Parliament for Asawase, has commissioned a polyclinic at Ayigya Zongo in the Oforikrom Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The facility, constructed with support from Qatar Charity Ghana, will serve residents of Ayigya, Kotei, Bomso and surrounding communities, while helping to ease pressure on major hospitals in Kumasi.
It is equipped with children’s, male and female wards, a delivery room, maternity ward, vaccination room, pharmacy, laboratory, quarantine room, medical examination rooms, records room, stores and an administration block.
Speaking at the commissioning, Mr Muntaka said he facilitated the project after the Oforikrom Municipal Chief Executive approached him for assistance in securing a health facility for the area.
He said development should transcend constituency boundaries, stressing that the progress of one community benefited the wider region and country.
“The success of Ayigya is the success of Asawase and the success of Asanteman is the success of Ghana,” he said.
Mr Muntaka said the facility would provide emergency care, child welfare services, including vaccination, and treatment for minor and major ailments, while creating jobs and strengthening local healthcare capacity.
“This is what development means: solving the everyday problems of the people,” he said.
The Minister expressed appreciation to Qatar Charity Ghana for funding the project, saying government alone could not meet all the country’s development needs.
He said government would continue to collaborate with non-governmental organisations and philanthropic bodies to expand access to healthcare.
Mr Muntaka also linked healthcare to national security, saying a healthy population was essential to a peaceful society and that reducing people’s vulnerabilities contributed to internal security.
He urged health professionals to operate the facility with professionalism and compassion, while appealing to traditional leaders and residents to protect it.
Qatar Charity pledges support
Mr Hasan Ali Owda, Country Director of Qatar Charity Ghana, said the organisation would continue working with government institutions, community leaders and other partners to support development projects in Ghana.
He said Qatar Charity’s interventions covered healthcare as well as education, water and sanitation, housing and economic empowerment.
Mr Owda stressed that the building alone would not guarantee effective healthcare delivery, saying the facility also required dedicated staff, proper management and support from local leadership.
He therefore called on the municipal health authorities to assign dedicated personnel to the facility and urged the Municipal Chief Executive to provide the necessary support.
“Health care can’t be done without only building but it will be in a collaborative manner from the staff, the leadership, the building, and everything,” he said.
Mr Owda said Qatar Charity would continue supporting the facility and other projects where there was commitment from community and local leaders.
He also acknowledged the donor, Dr Muna Sultan, and the project team for their contributions.
Health Director stresses staff commitment
Dr Nana Akua Afiriyie Bafana, Municipal Health Director for Oforikrom, said the facility marked an important step towards improving healthcare access in the municipality.
She said infrastructure was essential to delivering free primary healthcare and described the project as an investment in the health and productivity of residents.
“Free primary healthcare is just a policy but a commitment to equity,” she said.
Dr Bafana, however, stressed that the building alone could not deliver healthcare, saying its success would depend on the commitment of health professionals.
Mr Ahmed Anwel Sadat, Municipal Chief Executive of Oforikrom, expressed gratitude to Mr Muntaka for facilitating the project.
Mr Muntaka also announced plans for multipurpose AstroTurf parks at Ayigya, Tafo and Aboaso to improve sports infrastructure and create opportunities for young people in Zongo communities.
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