La Nativity Congregation opens Presbyterian Church’s first private healthcare centre
The La Nativity Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana has opened a newly constructed private health centre to serve the community and its immediate surroundings.
The facility, fully funded by the congregation, becomes the Presbyterian Church’s first private medical centre and 63rd health unit across the country, making the church the third-largest provider of health care in the country after the government and the Catholic Church.
The pioneers of the Nativity Congregation proposed establishing a medical facility from the beginning of the congregation in 1981, and it was officially opened on September 5, 2001, functioning initially as a clinic limited to church members and local community members.
It has now been expanded and will offer services such as ultrasound/scan, minor surgeries, antenatal and postnatal care, counselling, laboratory tests, electrocardiogram, circumcision, as well as specialised services in gynaecology, ear, nose and throat treatment, among others.
It also has a pharmacy.
The acting Ga Presbytery Chairperson, Rev. William Quaye, presented GH¢10,000 to support the centre.
Dedication
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Rt Rev. Dr Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, led the church's leadership at a ceremony to inaugurate the building.
He explained that opening the medical centre marked a significant step towards improving healthcare delivery in the La community and reflected the church's commitment to the physical and spiritual well-being of its congregants.
“We are not only interested in preaching the word of God, but we are also focused on the development of the community and its people,” he said, urging the staff of the new facility to uphold the church's mission and ideals in their service.
He stated that, since La General Hospital is yet to be completed, the centre would serve as a supplementary venue to meet the needs of the indigenes.
The moderator further reassured the community that the church was committed to healthcare services and would support residents in managing their health until the new general hospital is completed.
Commendation
The Member of Parliament for the La Dadekotopon Constituency, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, who also serves as the Deputy Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, commended the congregation for building the medical facility, saying it would enhance the healthcare services provided by the La Polyclinic.
She emphasised the government’s commitment to partnering the church and traditional authorities to provide health care to the people of La.
“We are interested in partnering churches and traditional leaders to bring development to the constituency. We will surely come back to support,” she stated.
