Singa’s ‘Sick’ Clinic: An epitome of healthcare delivery in northern Ghana
My journey to Singa in Tamale from Nawuni began with a daunting challenge, which required crossing the White Volta.
Without life jackets, I navigated the river just like the locals, and the question “What if?” rang in my mind throughout the canoe ride. Despite the smooth waters, the experience was deeply unsettling.
Upon reaching the other side, I observed people arriving with their feet caked in mud, clearly exhausted. They warned me about the challenging road network ahead, but my determination to reach Singa held firm.
My journey continued on a tricycle, which quickly became a harrowing, frightening, and perilous ride. About ten minutes into the journey, the rugged nature of the road caused my stomach to churn uncomfortably. It took us approximately two hours to reach Singa, a community in the Kumbungu District of the Northern Region.
The poor roads severely hinder healthcare access, leaving residents deprived. The Singa Clinic, the only health center in the area, is grossly inadequate.
Upon arrival, I found patients already admitted in the detention room, with nurses forced to improvise due to a shortage of equipment.
The facility leaks whenever it rains, and snake bites are a frequent occurrence. Nurses reported that vaccines to counter venom have been depleted for months, leading to frequent fatalities as victims are transferred to distant facilities due to bad roads.
“We store some of our vaccines in a refrigerator which isn’t the right way. Also, whenever it rains, we are forced to create a space in the wards so that important materials will not get soaked. It makes our work difficult” Chambas Faisel, a senior staff nurse said.
The clinic serves approximately five communities, but acquiring medication for patients proves challenging.
The delivery room is in a dire state, with the sole delivery bed partially unusable and covered in cobwebs and dust.
To my utmost shock, I discovered snakes and rats sharing the washrooms with patients.
The bungalows for health workers are riddled with massive cracks, posing a collapse risk in stormy weather. Nurses express living in constant fear.
“When a woman in labour comes in with complications, we are forced to transfer her to another clinic which involves navigating the bad road network and crossing the river. Those who are unable to bear the pain sometimes die while on the way” Irene Naab- staff midwife said.
The community’s assemblyman, Mohammed Suale, urgently appeals for assistance.
“We are in need of medications and a revamp of our clinic.”
A local sub-chief, Abdul Rahman Bawa, agrees, highlighting the desperate need for help.
“We are mostly farmers here and things do get tough sometimes. We need to save lives,” he said.
This small community, with its poor roads and inadequate clinic, feels neglected and disadvantaged, no longer counting themselves as citizens of Ghana.
Sustainable Development Goal 3 emphasizes Good Health and Well-being, aiming to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at every stage of life.
Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize urgent attention to communities like Singa.
The residents of Singa desperately need improved healthcare facilities, better roads, and adequate medical supplies to ensure their well-being and survival.
