Silenced Twice: The pain of male rape in Ghana

UniMAC-IFT campus lacks a school clinic 

Students and staff at the University of Media, Arts, and Communication – Institute of Film and Television (UniMAC-IFT) have raised significant health concerns due to the absence of a school clinic. 

School clinics play a crucial role in improving access to healthcare services, addressing health disparities, supporting academic achievement, reducing absenteeism, and providing a range of health and mental health services.

The school clinic provides first aid to students and staff.

The lack of an on-site medical facility has left the university community vulnerable and underserved, leading to heightened anxiety and dissatisfaction among both students and staff. Several students voiced their frustrations about the current situation. 

Bright Adjadu a level 100 student said, “Coming to school and realizing a university like this does not have a clinic I was very disappointed”. 

Another student added, “My mates and I had to rush her to 37 millitary hospital and because of that we missed class".

Portia Gedza ·

 

Staff members echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the risk posed to both their health and productivity. One staff member Eyram Adorkor said, "We should create more awareness of where we can go to when things happen or who we can speak to and that is what is lacking in IFT”.

 The situation has become a focal point of concern as the university population continues to grow. The lack of a dedicated clinic means that any medical emergencies, from injuries to sudden illnesses, require off-campus travel, which can be time-consuming and costly. 

The students of UniMAC-IFT are not happy with the situation 

This not only affects the individuals in need of care but also disrupts the academic environment as a whole. 

Addressing these concerns, George Tagoe, an administrator at UniMAC-IFT, acknowledged the problem and discussed the school’s efforts to mitigate the issue. “The main reason why we do not medical facility currently is as a result of infrastructure. We don’t have the land”. Tagoe explained. 

George Tagoe- Administrator

He also mentioned that the university has been working on a liaison with the Jubilee House Clinic to provide some level of healthcare support. “Our partnership with the Jubilee House Clinic aims to offer interim solutions, ensuring our community has access to medical care, even if it’s not directly on campus.”

Despite these efforts, students and staff remain skeptical about the effectiveness of this partnership. The sentiment is shared widely across campus, with many calling for more concrete actions and solutions. 

The administration’s challenge now is to balance the space constraints with the pressing health needs of its community. As discussions continue, the hope is that a feasible solution can be found to provide the necessary healthcare infrastructure that UniMAC-IFT desperately needs.