Published: March 4, 2026
Wainsue, Bong County— The Bong County Health Team has raised serious concerns over the construction of a maternal waiting home in Wainsue, electoral District#3, citing safety risks and noncompliance with standards established by the Ministry of Health.
The County Health Team Officer, Daanue Paye Zwuogbae, criticized the project, stating that the structure was not built in line with the Ministrys approved blueprint for health facilities. The project was undertaken by the Bong County Administration as part of its local development initiatives. In May 2025, the Bong County Administration allocated funds in the countys 2025 budget to undertake the project.
Speaking during the dedication of the facility over the weekend, Zwuogbae expressed concern that the County Health Team was excluded from the planning and construction process, despite being the primary user of the facility.
The next time you are building a structure, ask us. We have a lot of blueprints that we can help you with. We will not take the glory,he noted.
He particularly pointed to safety risks, revealing that the structure has only one entrance and no alternative emergency exit. According to him, the design poses a serious threat in the event of fire or other emergencies.
It will be extremely difficult for occupants to escape in an emergency situation,he warned.
Despite the criticism, Zwuogbae emphasized the critical role maternal waiting homes play in improving maternal health outcomes. He disclosed that out of 49 clinics across Bong County, 27 lack maternal waiting homes — a situation he said forces many pregnant women to deliver at home.
He further identified limited ambulance services as a major challenge in the countys health delivery system, stressing that properly constructed maternal waiting homes would allow expectant mothers to relocate closer to clinics ahead of delivery, thereby reducing risks associated with home births.
For her part, Bong County Superintendent Hawa Norris accepted responsibility for the shortcomings surrounding the Wainsue project. She admitted that she was unfamiliar with the technical procedures required for constructing health facilities.
When we make mistake, you tell us because we are doing this with our heart,Norris stated. The midwives cant come when there is fire, and then everyone will be looking for one door to escape.
Also speaking, Martha Morris, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Health, acknowledged the concerns raised and urged Officers-In-Charge (OICs) at health facilities to closely monitor contractors to ensure full compliance with Ministry of Health standards.
She, however, commended the Bong County Administration for undertaking the initiative and assured volunteers at the Wainsue Clinic that efforts are underway to place them on the government payroll.
Meanwhile, Senator Prince Moye lauded the Community members for their cooperation in ensuring that the project was fully implemented.
He encouraged health authority to ensure the usage of the facility as part of effort to reduce maternal deaths in Jorquelleh District.
Senator Moye then pledged US$25,000 each for the renovation of the Clinic and the construction of a Guest house in Wainsue town, while he also announced the procurement of a tiger generator, 50 bags 25kg rice and ten cartoons of fish to begin the effective use of the maternal waiting home among other issues affecting the town.
The situation has sparked renewed calls for improved coordination between county authorities and health officials to ensure that future health infrastructure projects meet national standards and guarantee the safety of patients and medical staff alike.
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