President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has touted the substantial progress made by his administration in the healthcare sector.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Phase II expansion project of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho, Volta Region, he outlined several key achievements in healthcare infrastructure, access and quality.
The President noted that with a total expenditure of over GH¢33 billion, his government had made remarkable strides in improving healthcare infrastructure across Ghana.
Completed healthcare projects
He detailed the numerous healthcare projects completed under his administration, emphasising the construction and equipping of polyclinics, hospitals, and specialized treatment centres.
These projects, he indicated, had been crucial in addressing the healthcare needs of various regions and improving the overall quality of healthcare services in the country.
“We have successfully constructed and equipped ten polyclinics in the Central Region, located in Ajumaku Bisease, Gomoa Dawurampong, Biriwa, Etsii Sunkwa, Binpong Egya, Gyamera, Mankrong, Akonfude, Ekumfi Naakwa, and Gomoa Potsin,” the President mentioned.
He indicated that these facilities were completed and commissioned in August 2018, marking a significant step forward in regional healthcare.
In the Greater Accra Region, five polyclinics have been constructed and completed in Ogbojo (Adentan), Ashaiman, Bortianor, Oduman, and Sege, commissioned for use in May 2019. The President also cited the completion of a nationwide TB case detection programme in August 2018, benefiting 48 facilities with essential equipment.
Additionally, he mentioned the major rehabilitation and upgrade of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Phase II, completed and handed over in February 2019.
“We have constructed ten treatment and holding centres, with two of these facilities located in Aflao and Keta, here in the Volta Region,” he mentioned. He emphasised the comprehensive approach his administration had taken in addressing healthcare needs across the country.
Regional/district hospitals
President Akufo-Addo detailed the construction of regional and district hospitals by the Egyptian company Euroget.
Notable among these projects are the Wa Regional Hospital, commissioned in August 2019, the Ga East Municipal Hospital (Kwabenya), commissioned in November 2019, and the Nsawkaw, Tepa, Twifo-Praso, and Konongo District hospitals, commissioned between 2021 and 2022.
He stressed that these facilities had greatly enhanced healthcare services in their respective regions of location.
“The Bekwai District Hospital, commissioned in November 2020, is currently operational, serving the people of Bekwai. The University of Ghana Medical Centre (Phase II), commissioned on 24th December 2021, has boosted medical research and treatment capabilities. Additionally, district hospitals and polyclinics in Sawla, Tolon, Somanya, Buipe, Wheta, and Bamboi were completed and handed over in February 2021, augmenting primary healthcare across various communities,” he indicated.
Expanded projects
The President mentioned the expansion of radiotherapy and nuclear medicine services at both Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, enhancing cancer treatment capabilities.
“District hospitals and integrated IT systems in Dodowa, Fomena, and Kumawu were completed and commissioned as of July 2024, further modernizing healthcare infrastructure. Several projects have been completed, and are awaiting commissioning, including public health facilities in the Western Region, the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital Phase III, and twelve district hospitals in the Eastern, Ashanti, Ahafo and Greater Accra regions. The Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and various treatment and holding centres are also in the final stages,” he added.
He revealed that ongoing projects slated for completion by December 2024 include additional treatment and holding centres, staff accommodation at Dodowa, refurbishment of Effia Nkwanta research laboratory, and a paediatric clinic in Weija-Gbawe municipality.
The government is also constructing a training facility for the National Ambulance Service at Nkenkasu, in the Ashanti Region, and equipping the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Maternity and Children’s Block.
Agenda III
The President further highlighted the Agenda 111 initiative. He explained that it aims to provide 101 standard 100-bed district hospitals, six new regional hospitals, and two psychiatric hospitals at an estimated cost of $1.765 billion.
He disclosed that the average completion rate of the ongoing Agenda 111 projects was 65%, with some sites nearing 80% completion. The President noted that these projects were being undertaken by indigenous Ghanaian contractors, providing direct and indirect jobs to Ghanaians.
“Upon completion, the Agenda 111 hospitals will employ approximately 67,635 people, significantly boosting employment in the healthcare sector. In addition to infrastructure development, the Akufo-Addo government has recruited 202,527 medical personnel since 2017. They include doctors, nurses, support staff, pharmacists, medical herbalists and allied health professionals. The National Health Insurance Scheme has also seen a resurgence, with active membership increasing from 10.6 million in 2016 to 17.9 million at the end of 2023,” he said.
“Our work is far from complete. We are committed to continuing our efforts to improve healthcare delivery across the country, with the ultimate goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030,” President Akufo-Addo assured.
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