MANKRONG, GHANA – In a bold move to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and ensure that no community is left behind, the Rotary Club of Accra-South, in partnership with the Ashfar Foundation, has officially committed to the total refurbishment and equipping of the Mankrong CHPS Compound.

Located in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region, this facility is the primary lifeline for eight surrounding communities, serving an estimated 2,000 people. For years, these residents have had to travel long distances to the Nkawkaw District Hospital for basic medical needs. Our mission is to change that.

The Current Reality: A Facility in Crisis

Despite the global recognition of Ghana’s Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) program, the Mankrong facility currently faces severe infrastructural and operational hurdles. The challenges are stark:

• Critical Staffing Gaps: With only one overburdened Community Health Nurse and no midwife, maternal health services are virtually non-existent.

• Infrastructure in Decay: The structure suffers from a leaking ceiling, faulty electrical wiring, and a lack of proper washrooms.

• Safety & Logistics: Without a refrigeration unit, vaccines must be transported from another town, risking the cold chain's integrity. Perhaps most distressing, the resident nurse currently uses an external corridor as a makeshift sleeping area due to a lack of quarters.

From "Level A" to "Level M"

Our primary objective is to upgrade the facility from a Ministry of Health Level A facility to a Level M facility. This transition is not merely a change in title; it means the compound will be equipped to host a resident midwife, handle safe child deliveries, and manage a wider range of medical conditions on-site.

The Vision: A Three-Phase Transformation

To ensure a sustainable and organized overhaul, the Rotary Club of Accra-South has mapped out a comprehensive three-phase execution plan:

1. Phase I: Structural Refurbishment & Equipping – Re-roofing, re-wiring, and re-painting the current structure, alongside providing essential delivery equipment and refrigeration for vaccines.

2. Phase II: Hygiene & Sanitation – Complete refurbishment of the washroom facilities to meet modern health and safety standards.

3. Phase III: Staff Dignity – The construction of a three-bedroom Nurses’ accommodation to ensure that healthcare providers have a safe, comfortable place to live while serving the community.

A Legacy of Action

Coming off the heels of our successful work at James Camp, where we raised GH¢85,000 for kitchen renovations and upgraded an infirmary into a clinic, the Accra-South team is ready to scale our impact. The Mankrong project requires an estimated GH¢300,000 to reach its full potential.

By transforming this compound, we aren't just fixing a building; we are restoring hope, saving the lives of mothers and children, and ensuring that "Service Above Self" is felt in the most remote corners of the Ayensuano District.