Frequent power outages, inadequate water supply and poor sanitation facilities at rural health centres are raising concerns over childhood immunisation and healthcare delivery in the Northern Region.
The challenges were identified by Parliament’s Select Committee on Immunisation and Child Rights during a working visit to the region to assess vaccine availability, healthcare infrastructure and the conditions of frontline health workers.
The Committee, led by its Chairman and Member of Parliament for Daffiama-Bussie-Issa, Dr Sebastian N. Sandaare, raised the concerns after visiting health facilities in the Gushegu Municipality on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
The delegation, accompanied by representatives of UNICEF and the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), observed infrastructural and logistical gaps that could undermine effective healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Dr Sandaare identified unreliable electricity, inadequate access to potable water, poor toilet and washroom facilities and the absence of electricity in some health facilities as major challenges requiring urgent attention.
He warned that the conditions could compromise the quality of healthcare services and make it difficult for frontline health workers to deliver effective immunisation services.
The Committee Chairman called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to prioritise the needs of health facilities and provide the infrastructure, logistics and financial support required to improve service delivery.
He stressed that every child, regardless of geographical location, deserved access to essential healthcare and immunisation services.
The visit formed part of the Committee’s oversight responsibilities to assess the implementation of the national immunisation programme, establish vaccine availability and examine the operational challenges confronting health workers at the community and district levels.
Receiving the delegation at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC) in Tamale, the Acting Chief Director, Sumaila Ewuntomah Abudu, assured the Committee that the Council would engage the various MMDAs to address the concerns raised.
He said the NRCC would work with the Assemblies to mobilise the necessary resources and improve infrastructure at health facilities across the region.
Mr Abudu, who received the delegation on behalf of the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, acknowledged the importance of immunisation in preventing childhood diseases and improving community health outcomes.
He also called for sustained collaboration among government institutions, Parliament and development partners to strengthen healthcare delivery.
The engagement provided an opportunity for the Committee to share its field observations with regional authorities and discuss measures to address gaps in rural healthcare delivery.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
