Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) has donated assorted items worth GH¢477,000 to the health and security sectors in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Prestea-Huni Valley municipalities of the Western Region.
Aboso Health Centre for instance, received hospital equipment including a suction machine for resuscitation of babies, weighing scales, a delivery set, delivery bed, ultrasound scan machine, blood pressure (Bp) apparatus, oxygen with oxygen cylinder, television sets and office chairs and desk totalling GH¢247,000.00
Huni Valley Health Center also received a laboratory glass ware set, widal test kits (Box), laboratory accessories set, refrigerators, needles and syringes totalling GH¢145,000.00
The Tarkwa Police Command received office equipment worth GH¢52,750.00.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony on Friday, the Executive Secretary of GFGF, Abdel-Razak Yakubu, explained that the donations followed requests from the institutions.
GFGF, he noted, considered the health sector and security services as trusted stakeholders, which contributed to the development of the communities in which Gold Fields operated.
Mr Yakubu indicated that the donation to Aboso Health Centre was to refurbish the facility and ensure it was well – managed and same provide services to save the lives of new born babies. a “The television sets are to make patients and clients feel comfortable,” he added.
He told the gathering that the donation to Hunni Valley Health Center was to ensure the laboratory was operational and make the maternity ward function effectively. He recalled that in 2023, Gold Fields conducted a study to identify a prgramme christened “Gold Fields Legacy Programme” for the company to sponsor, through its Foundation, to leave a lasting legacy after the life of mine.
The study, Mr Yakubu revealed, recommended that GFGF implemented a health intervention programme that would make Tarkwa -Nsuaem and Prestea- Huni Valley the hub for medical excellence in Ghana.
The programme, the “Expanded Access to Quality Health Care programme includes the construction of an Accident and Emergency Center for Apinto Government Hospital, the renovation of the Out Patient Department (OPD) and other facilities at the hospital”, he said.
“There would also be the provision of critical medical equipment for host community health facilities, training and capacity building of health staff in host community facilities and expansion of free medical outreach programmes for host communities. Detail of these interventions would soon be made public”, Mr Yakubu added.
“We appeal to these institutions to put the items to the use for which they have been donated. We encourage them to adopt sound preventive maintenance practices for the equipment to ensure their last ideal life span”, he advised.
GFGF, he stated, was grateful to the institutions for their dedication towards the services they provide to Ghana.
The Municipal Health Director, Prestea-Huni Valley, Mr Timothy Kobina Ofori said “We are overwhelmed that the health sector is blessed with these equipment. This is a noble gesture done us and we assure you that the items would be well -maintained to promote the optimal health of our clients.”
