AngloGold’s mini clinic impacts quality healthcare in Obuasi

In low-income economy such as Ghana, most citizens have poor access to quality health delivery (QHD). Healthcare system in Ghana suffers from numerous challenges that affect people accessibility to quality health care.

Key among them is financial constraints which forces some to seek alternative medical care. It is for this reason that AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine instituted the Mini clinic program in 2021 to bridge the gaps hindering access to quality healthcare.

The Mini clinic program involves taking the health personnel and drugs to the doorstep of residents and dealing with specific health needs of communities at no cost to them.

The program has been hailed by health officials and residents of Obuasi and neighboring towns for its impact on providing a one stop shop for accessing quality healthcare for all ailments.

Diseases such as hepatitis, sickle cell, typhoid, hypertension, HIV, malaria, diabetes, among others are screened, whiles dental and eye care services are also provided.

Martin Safo Osei, the Obuasi Municipal Health director has hailed the mini clinic which has so far taken care of more than 30,000 people across AngloGold Ashanti’s operational areas.

He said it was uncommon to find free health outreach programs which screen unlimited number of people at a time.

“The consistency is what marvels me. AngloGold Ashanti has consistently organized this program since its inception in 2021. Every quarter, they choose a particular community to hold these health screening programs. The feedback is amazing”, Mr. Osei stated.

Speaking at the 14th edition of the Mini clinic at the Obuasi black park, the Municipal Health director said the vulnerable and the poor who hither to found it difficult to seek quality healthcare due to financial issues have found solace in the Mini clinic.

In Ghana, many health facilities pay critical attention to patients with primary, secondary, and tertiary health challenges, hence paying little attention to regular check-ups or screening of members of the public who have no health disorders to detect early symptoms of possible disorders.

According to a beneficiary of the Mini clinic Moses Tetteh, he had no knowledge of his medical condition but thanks to the mini clinic, he has been diagnosed of diabetes and has been advised on some remedies to comply with.

He encouraged AngloGold Ashanti to sustain the program which will go a long way to maintain lives.

According to Edmond Oduro Agyei, the Community relations manager of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, the Mini clinic is a collaboration between AGA Health Foundation (AGAHF), the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Health Foundation; GIZ – the German Development Agency; the Ghana Health Service through the Municipal Health Directorate; and AGA Malaria Control programme.

As the main sponsors of the program, he said the Mini clinic is part of health intervention programs underlined in AngloGold Ashanti’s 10- year socioeconomic development plan launched in 2022.

“As part of our health interventions we have facilitated training for over 500 health workers in various health sub-specialties like burns treatment and management, heavy metals and toxins management, cervical, neo-natal, and infectious disease prevention, among other areas” the community relations manager revealed.

He again affirmed that AngloGold Ashanti is constructing ultra-modern health facilities with state-of-art equipment to serve New Dokyiwaa/Binsere communities, expanding the Akrokerri Health Centre to include a newly constructed surgical theatre, and constructing a clinic at Apitikooko.

He was optimistic that these facilities will bring much need relief to those who must travel for good medical care, as well as provide them with access to quality care and treatment.

Nana Kankam Boadu, Odikro of New Estate community commended AngloGold Ashanti for the mini clinic initiative and the plethora of health intervention programs it has undertaken and those it has lined up calling on residents of Obuasi to continue to support the company to deliver on their corporate social responsibilities.