Rural health worker laments overwhelming burden at CHPS compounds

Eyram Davordzi-Banini, a midwife and rural health worker, is calling on the government to extend rural incentives to cover all CHPS zones and compounds. She warns that many communities would be left with no healthcare at all if rural nurses and midwives are not given the recognition and support they deserve. She addressed a passionate appeal to the President, Parliament, and the Ministries of Health and Finance.

Davordzi-Banini paints a stark picture of life at a typical CHPS compound in rural Ghana, explaining that one health worker doubles as the cleaner, records officer, OPD and emergency nurse, consulting room "doctor," laboratory technician, dispensary assistant, cashier, NHIS claims officer, HIV and TB counsellor, data officer, and even the facility's security. She notes that community members quickly complain to the local assembly member when the health worker is not visible at the facility for even a moment. She also highlights the stark lack of social amenities in rural communities-poor roads, unreliable transport, no good schools for their children, no recreational centres, and no libraries-making the posting even more punishing compared to city postings.

Her appeal comes amid ongoing national conversations about the government's efforts to improve primary healthcare under the Ghana Health Service, including the Agenda 111 hospital projects and the revitalization of the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) strategy. Health worker unions have repeatedly complained about the uneven distribution of rural allowances, poor infrastructure, and chronic understaffing at remote facilities.