After operating for more than fifty years without a dedicated surgical unit, the Madina Polyclinic at Kekele has officially commissioned a new surgical theatre, significantly improving access to surgical and obstetric care for residents in the La Nkwantanang–Madina Municipality.
The project, which was inaugurated last Thursday, was delivered through a collaboration between non-governmental organization Freedom Aid Ghana and the Australian High Commission. The initiative also received support from the Member of Parliament for Madina, Dr. Francis Xavier Sosu, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The commissioning event also saw the introduction of a Daliha Food product stand at the facility, stocked with iron-rich supplements made from turkey berry (abeduru). The stand is aimed at supporting patients requiring nutritional supplementation, particularly pregnant women suffering from anaemia.
A Milestone for Community Health
Speaking at the ceremony, Bright Atawiah Adoboe, Executive Director of Freedom Aid Ghana, noted that the surgical theatre represents the 18th project executed by his organization. It is the third such initiative funded by the Australian Government through the High Commission’s Direct Aid Programme (DAP), which focuses on improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Mr. Adoboe emphasized that the facility would end the need for residents to travel to distant hospitals for routine surgeries following referrals. “The theatre will also help reduce pressure on nearby hospitals while ensuring that patients receive timely and potentially life-saving interventions,” he said, thanking the Australian Government for its continued cooperation rooted in humanity and sustainable development.
The Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Berenice Owen-Jones, reaffirmed her government’s commitment to community-based initiatives that address critical development challenges. While commending Ghana for its progress in reducing maternal mortality, she noted that access to emergency medical care remains essential.
“The availability of the theatre will help strengthen public confidence in the healthcare system within the community,” Ms. Owen-Jones stated.
Call for Increased Investment
The Member of Parliament for Madina, Dr. Francis Xavier Sosu, used the platform to call for deliberate investment in health infrastructure to match the municipality’s rapid population growth. He noted that the constituency has seen a significant influx of residents in recent years, placing immense pressure on existing social infrastructure, including health facilities, schools, and roads.
“The polyclinic has served this community for over five decades without a surgical theatre, forcing many patients requiring surgical procedures to be referred to other hospitals,” Dr. Sosu said. He appealed to the facility’s management and staff to ensure proper maintenance of the new theatre to sustain its benefits for the community.
Looking Ahead
The immediate past Acting Medical Superintendent of the facility, Emmanuel Asante, alongside the Municipal Health Director, Dr. Efua Commeh, expressed gratitude to all partners involved in the project. Dr. Asante assured residents of the facility’s commitment to delivering high-quality surgical services and appealed for further support to help transform the polyclinic into a full district hospital.
