Abandoned Agenda 111 Hospital in Assin Darmang overrun by weeds, snakes

An abandoned Agenda 111 hospital project at Assin Darmang in the Assin South District, said to be about 85% complete, has been overtaken by weeds, erosion and reptiles, exposing residents to worsening healthcare challenges as they continue to travel long distances for medical care.

A visit to the site revealed idle construction machines, locked warehouses and deteriorating structures, giving the impression that work on the project had been frozen in time.

Heavy rains have carved deep gullies across the once-levelled grounds, with erosion rapidly damaging exposed areas because of the sloping terrain and lack of drainage systems to control run-off.

At the entrance of the facility’s morgue, a reporter and an escort narrowly escaped being bitten by a giant cobra coiled near the doorway, highlighting the dangers posed by the neglected structure, which residents say has become a hideout for snakes and marijuana smokers.

Several other snakes slithered away into crevices and thick vegetation during the visit, while a group of young men openly smoking in one of the rooms rushed in to kill the cobra.

The youths, most believed to be under 30, reportedly demanded money for food after killing the snake.

Jonathan Birikorang, the Assin South District Chief Executive, said authorities were committed to ensuring the completion of the facility, which is expected to serve more than 120,000 people in the district.

“The sight breaks my heart,” he said in an interview. “Since I assumed office, I have visited the site many times. It is unacceptable that such an important facility could not be completed.”

He said President John Dramani Mahama had pledged to complete abandoned and ongoing projects across the country, expressing confidence that the Assin Darmang hospital would be included.

Birikorang said the district’s existing Community Health Planning and Services compounds and health centres were inadequate, forcing residents to travel to facilities such as St. Francis Xavier Hospital, Abura-Dunkwa Government Hospital and Asikuma Government Hospital for treatment.

“When emergency cases cannot get timely care near home, complications rise and recovery becomes hard,” he said.

“It is unfortunate we do not have any polyclinic or hospital here. This facility will really help the people, and I believe the President would help complete it for us.”

The DCE also disclosed that the district’s only ambulance had been out of service for months, worsening the risks faced by residents in the predominantly rural district.

Susana Bill, the Assin South District Director of the Ghana Health Service, appealed to government to prioritise the completion of the hospital, saying it would strengthen primary healthcare delivery and reduce pressure on larger hospitals.

She said the facility would improve access to maternal and child healthcare, diagnostics, emergency treatment and routine surgeries at the district level.

Bill, however, stressed the need for investments in trained personnel, medicines and ambulance services to ensure the hospital operated effectively once completed.

Nana Okofo Kwadwo Bi Benti II described the absence of a district hospital as unfortunate and appealed to government to expedite work on the project.

Residents in Assin Darmang, Nyankomasi Ahenkro and Homaho also expressed frustration over the delay, recounting difficulties in transporting sick relatives and pregnant women to hospitals in neighbouring districts.

“Our plea is simple and urgent, finish the hospital, equip and staff it, so that the next mother in labour, and the next person in an accident, needs not travel long distances for care,” said Madam Matilda Asare Boadu, a mother of three.

Source: GNA