The Meena Breast Cancer Foundation has commenced construction of a modern clinic/ breast screening centre at the TI Ahmadiyya Senior High School (SHS) in Potsin, Central Region.
The project, estimated to cost GHC450,000, will serve students and members of the Potsin community.
Speaking at a short ceremony held at the school, Executive Director of Meena Breast Cancer Foundation, Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, stressed the importance of the facility to the school.
“We decided to build the clinic here because this is where my late wife had her secondary education. Also, we cannot overemphasise the importance of a healthy mind in achieving academic and economic excellence. Therefore, we intend to build at least three more clinics at various locations this year,” Mr Kwarteng said.
The facility will have a consulting room, two wards, a dispensary, a theatre, a nurses’ station, a laboratory, Out Patient Department (OPD) and five washrooms.
It is estimated to be ready in three months.
Expressing her appreciation for the project, the Headmistress of the TI Ahmadiyya School, Ms. Zainab Adams, said the clinic would be of tremendous help.
“We have 2,254 students, of which 1,230 are girls and 65 female teaching and non-teaching staff. This represents the number of breasts to be screened in this small community.
“This project could not have come at a better time. It is a laudable one. We appreciate the foundation’s kind gesture and pledge our unending support to see its completion,” she assured.
Currently, the school has converted a small section of its dining hall into an infirmary, the size of a kitchenette, to provide healthcare for students.
It has four beds but attends to over 30 students daily.
“It has always been challenging. Sometimes students have to sit in plastic chairs for treatment. It gets worse when new students report. We are always crowded,” a nurse lamented.
The Omankrado of Gomoa Akyempim, Nana Kwaw Ado Faakye, pledged his outfit’s support towards constructing and maintaining the new facility.
He also encouraged the students to emulate the gesture from Meena Breast Cancer Foundation and give back to their community and the country at large.
The Meena Breast Cancer Foundation was launched on October 6, 2022, in Accra in memory of Mrs Amina Oppong Kwarteng, who died of breast cancer on July 18, 2022.
