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KINTAMPO: Health Directorate organizes annual performance review

The Kintampo Municipal Health Service as part of their activities for the year 2019 and in pursuance to existing norms held an annual review meeting at the Kintampo Health Research conference hall.

Date Created : 2/11/2019 4:01:59 AM : Story Author : Rufina Yuoni/Ghanadistricts.com

The meeting which took place on the 7th of February, 2019 aimed at identifying their strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats for the year 2018 and the way forward in 2019.

On behalf of the directorate, the Municipal Health Director Madam Alice Vorleto acknowledged the presents of all and recommended officers for showing commitment, most especially officers who are at ‘difficult to reach’ communities and frequent attacks by armed robbers.

In the year 2018, the Kintampo Municipal Health Service was faced with inadequate critical staff as they had only one Physician Assistant under their jurisdiction being the seven (7) sub-municipals. The issues of high rate intra and inter-regional postings as well as unplanned annual leave schedules were also there to be dealt with.

The Administrative officer Mr. Eric Tukuu used the opportunity to request additional staff and resolved to addressing welfare issues. He lauded the addition of 39 staff under the Nation Builders Corp (NABCO), Heal Ghana module as well as 29 National Service Personnel. He also congratulated the 145 permanent staff members for a successful year.

It was also interesting to realize that posting of staff without the notice of the Municipal Health Directress was made known at the Meeting.

According to records from the Health Information Unit, the projected population for the year under review was 114,481 with a total of 51 health facilities (public and private sector). They on the other hand lamented on poor records management but indicated that, outpatient department (OPD) attendance had increased from 170,662 in 2017 to 191,141 in 2018.

The Health Information Officer Mr. Naga also reckoned that, the preferred destination for patients were private facilities with 58.7% as compared to 42.3% in 207 and pointed out Yazura Clinic in the Municipality as the preferred destination.

This situation he attributed to the lack of drugs in the public facilities. Top ten (10) cases at the OPD has respiratory track infections leading the chart. A total of 141 deaths were recorded.

The Disease control unit (Mr. James Owusu) also reported on the Vitamin A campaign, mass distribution of mosquito nets (LLIN) and the Measles Rubella immunization carried out by the unit in the year under review. They recorded no cases of meningitis or cholera. However, 10 cases measles and 13 leprosy cases were recorded and treated. The unit cited inadequate funds and resources for monitoring as a challenge.

Nutrition Unit also carried out activities such as the girl iron folic acid tablets supplementation (GIFTS) and the vitamin A supplementation as well as Nutrition Education was done using the mass media.

The Municipal Health Service lamented the rise in teenage pregnancy and noted the reduction in family planning patronage.

Health promotion education and awareness were also carried by the health promotion unit through schools, churches, mosques, outreach programmes and promotions were done on communicable and non-communicable diseases, personal and environment hygiene.

All units/department such as mental Health unit, National Health Insurance Scheme, HIV unit in the Municipality, Sunkwa clinic a private clinic in the Municipality also came to give their annual review of activities which toke place in their outfit under the year 2018.

The Kintampo Municipal Hospital in its submission also recorded 167 deaths. 1630 malaria cases with 5 resulting deaths. The hospital indicated an increase in admissions with an average period of admission being between 2-3 days. Most cases admissions were due to delivery or malaria. 1472 pints of blood were screened and deposited in the blood bank of the hospital. 23 were HIV positive, 47 hepatitis B and 1364 pints of blood were finally collected. OPD attendances also shot up with respiratory tract infection in first place.

Hospital beds and incubators were received by the hospital from Apostle Christopher Annor a pantropic through the Kintampo Municipal Assembly, furnishing of the female ward by the Municipal Assembly, a tuberculosis isolation ward is ongoing with support from the United States Army. And NHIS reimbursement continue to be a problem together with encroachment on hospital land, inadequate accommodation and provision of a 24 hour water supply.

The Kintampo Health Research Centre review was than by the director of the centre Mr. Kwaku Poku Asanti he stated their core mandate is to carry out research that influences public health had a target of 15 research projects in 2018 but carried out 23. They have also widened their catchment area with the addition of Nkoranza North and South and Techiman North and South.

The center noted plans are that, researchers would be carried out in the broad areas of mental health with the introduction of mental disorder tool. Environment health, Demographic surveillance and operational research training are the other areas.

He indicated again that, the collection of demographic data is now automate by way of information, the center disclosed the rollout of a malaria vaccine this year and to be piloted in Brong-Ahafo and Volta Region after approval from food and drugs Authority (FDA) as well as the celebration of the silver jubilee of the center under the theme: Sustaining 25 years of Excellence in Health Research, Impacting Communities, Shaping Health Policy.

The review was graced by Municipal Health Director, Municipal Coordinator, Municipal Information Officer, media, some departmental heads, and workers from the Health directories.