Odawna CHPS appeals for urgent support after floods destroy medical equipment
On July 1, 2026, the Odawna Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound in Accra issued an urgent appeal for assistance after devastating floods destroyed essential medical equipment, patient records, and vital supplies. The disaster, triggered by heavy rains on Monday morning, submerged large sections of the Odawna enclave near the Rubber Market at Circle, coinciding with a fire that destroyed over 200 shops in the market.
The compound, which serves more than 5,000 residents and traders in the area, has faced recurring flood challenges for years. According to Bernice Azumah, Senior Community Health Nurse at the facility, the latest flood swept away blood pressure machines, patient registers, and other critical documents, disrupting healthcare delivery for thousands.
“We lose almost everything whenever the place floods. This time, our blood pressure machines, books, patient records and other important documents have all been destroyed,” Azumah told the Ghana News Agency. She emphasized that the loss of equipment and records would severely impair the facility’s ability to provide quality primary healthcare without urgent intervention.
The CHPS component typically attends to an average of 15 clients daily, offering family planning, child welfare clinics, immunization, antenatal care, and treatment for minor ailments. Azumah expressed concern that recurring floods continue to endanger the safety of health workers and patients while disrupting access to healthcare in one of Accra’s busiest commercial centres.
Despite repeated appeals over the years, no lasting flood mitigation solution has been implemented. Azumah recalled that the Member of Parliament for the constituency, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, had previously proposed elevating the building’s frontage to reduce flood impact. “We have made several appeals in the past, but our situation remains unchanged. We are pleading with the government, development partners, corporate organisations and philanthropists to come to our aid so that we can continue serving the community,” she said.
Azumah also urged authorities to improve drainage and strengthen flood-control systems around the facility to prevent future destruction. The latest flooding has once again highlighted the vulnerability of critical public facilities in the Odawna basin, where perennial floods destroy property and disrupt economic and social activities during heavy rains.
The situation echoes recent efforts by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to offer free NHIS registration for flood-affected residents in Accra, as reported by ghspeaks.com earlier this week. Both initiatives underscore the urgent need for coordinated support to mitigate the health impacts of climate-related disasters in urban areas.
Image Source: GHANA BUSINESS NEWS
