Alagumgube USA, a diaspora group made up of natives of the Upper East Region living in the United States of America (USA), has donated medical equipment and items to the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound at Dachio in the Bolgatanga East District.
The gesture forms part of efforts to complement government and community initiatives aimed at addressing health challenges at the facility and enhancing healthcare delivery in the area.
The equipment included a delivery bed, a Veronica bucket with stand, a steriliser, a blood pressure apparatus, a thermometer, a pulse oximeter, a fetal doppler, a television set, two ceiling fans and 10 plastic chairs.
The donation was made possible through an appeal by Ms Zaratu Abudu, a retired nurse and native of the Dachio community, who is also a member of Alagumgube USA, to support the facility in addressing critical health needs.
At a brief ceremony at Dachio to present the items to the management of the facility, Ms Abudu, who worked in California, USA, for about 30 years, said the gesture was motivated by her desire to give back to her community after retirement.
“I sat down one day and said I need to do something for my village, especially in the medical field. I have been in this field all my life, so this is my passion,” she said.
She explained that after contacting relatives in the area to assess the needs of the Dachio CHPS Centre, she realised that the items required were beyond what she could personally afford, prompting her to seek support from Alagumgube USA.
“When I put it to the group, they readily agreed to support me. So, I stand here on behalf of Alagumgube USA to thank them for what they have done for my village,” she said.
Ms Abudu expressed hope that the support would not be limited to Dachio alone, noting that the association intended to extend similar assistance to other communities in the future.
She also appealed to other Ghanaians in the diaspora, particularly those from the Upper East region, to organise themselves and contribute to development in their home communities.
“Even if it is 1,000 dollars, it can buy something for a clinic. When you go to the villages, you see the needs for yourself. It is not only clinics; there are many things we can do to help our communities,” she said.
Ms Abudu urged the staff of the CHPS compound to take good care of the donated items to ensure their longevity and build confidence for future support.
“These items may not be extremely expensive, but they are important. If they are managed well and I come back to see them in good condition, it will encourage us to bring more,” she added.
She reiterated that proper maintenance of the equipment would strengthen her resolve to advocate for additional support for the facility and other health facilities in the district.
Ms Maria Mahama, the Bolgatanga East District Director of the Ghana Health Service, commended Alagumgube USA for the support, noting that most health facilities in the district lacked such essential items.
She pledged that the items would be properly used and maintained to achieve the purpose for which they were donated.
Ms Ramatu Halutie Ahmed, the Katanga Sub-district Leader of the Ghana Health Service, lauded the support and said the intervention would go a long way to improve maternal healthcare in the area.
She, however, appealed for additional support to help complete a self-initiated maternity and waiting block started by community members to address the acute shortage of space at the facility.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
15 January 2026
Photo caption: BLG HEALTH MEDICAL ITEMS
