Healthcare delivery in the Odawna area of Accra has been severely affected after Monday’s torrential rains flooded the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound, destroying essential medical equipment and patient records.
The incident, which occurred when heavy rainfall submerged parts of the Odawna enclave near the Rubber Market at Circle, has left the facility struggling to continue providing basic health services to thousands of residents and traders.
The flooding also coincided with a fire outbreak at the nearby market, which destroyed more than 200 shops and worsened the impact of the disaster on the community.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Senior Community Health Nurse at the facility, Ms. Bernice Azumah, said the CHPS compound has become increasingly vulnerable to flooding, with repeated incidents causing repeated losses of critical resources.
She explained that the latest floods destroyed blood pressure machines, patient records, registers and other vital medical supplies needed for daily operations.
According to her, the facility serves more than 5,000 people in the Odawna enclave and surrounding communities, offering services such as antenatal care, immunisation, child welfare clinics, family planning and treatment of minor illnesses.
Ms. Azumah warned that the destruction of equipment and records is likely to significantly affect healthcare delivery unless urgent intervention is provided.
She noted that despite several appeals over the years, the facility continues to suffer the same fate whenever heavy rains occur, disrupting care and putting both patients and health workers at risk.
The nurse recalled previous assurances that infrastructure improvements, including raising the frontage of the building, would help reduce flooding, but said the problem persists.
She appealed to government authorities, development partners, corporate organisations and philanthropists to support the facility with resources and long-term solutions, including improved drainage systems around the area.
The latest flood incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of public health infrastructure in flood-prone parts of Accra, where recurring water surges continue to disrupt essential services and damage critical facilities.
