UGMC officials and dignitaries cutting the anniversary cake
The first interim committee members, founding directors, staff and board chair of the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) have been honoured for their contribution in making the centre a world class facility.
Totaling 150, the awardees received plaques, certificates and gifts for their service to the health centre.
The awards ceremony was held during the grand durbar of the facility to climax its 5th anniversary.
The anniversary celebration was themed; “Five Years of Positioning the University of Ghana Medical Centre as a Centre for World-Class Patient Care, and Research.”
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UGMC, Dr. Darius Osei, said the hospital made significant strides in the past five years and established itself as a leading institution for world-class patient care, training, and research.
He indicated an agreement between the government and the University of Ghana for a mutually acceptable ownership structure as one of its accomplishments, as well as increased infrastructural development and the performance of several open-heart and brain surgeries, and catheterizations on adults and children.
“Through our focus on infrastructure development, specialized training programmes, cutting-edge research initiatives, strategic partnerships, and community engagement, the UGMC has been transformed into a leading academic medical centre in the country,” he added.
Dr. Osei said the UGMC aims to train more cardiology, gastrology, and other specialists over the next five years.
He said the Centre had begun the process by operationalizing those expertise areas and appealed to Corporate Ghana to support the Centre’s initiative to raise $5 million to construct a cutting-edge clinical trials facility.
Guest speaker, Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Shlomit Sufa, congratulated the UGMC on its fifth anniversary, stating that the hospital’s partnership with her country was a testament to Israel’s strong bond with Ghana.
She said the partnership had resulted in the training of 100 Israeli health professionals who are now working in various capacities at the Centre.
She lauded the Centre’s feat in key landmark surgeries in non-invasive heart and brain surgery.
Alhaji Mahama Asei Seini, Deputy Minister for Health, said the UGMC reaffirms the relationship between the government and academia.
He pledged the government’s continued support for the Centre, stating that the Ministry intends to present a proposal to the Cabinet to make the UGMC a West African Clinical Trials Center.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Amfo Appiah, asked the Centre’s management and staff to remain committed to the hospital’s main mission of training, research, and healthcare delivery.
She urged the staff of the Centre to set the standard for excellence in healthcare delivery in the country.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri