Dr. Benard Okoe-Boye
The Minister for Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye says Ghana has made significant progress in healthcare delivery due to remarkable investment in health infrastructure across the country.
The minister, who made this known at the Ministry of Information’s press briefing yesterday in Accra, said not only is the government investing in infrastructure, but it is also focused on providing digital solutions to improve services.
He cited the Kumawu and Fomena district hospitals as examples of health infrastructure which were started by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) but have been completed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
“Several hospitals that were left uncompleted have all been completed under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo. The Kumawu District Hospital, which was less than 30% complete before this government assumed office, is now fully operational, while the Fomena Hospital, which was about 35% complete, has been completed. Government has also upgraded existing hospitals, which included the commissioning of phase two of the Bolgatanga Hospital at a cost of $20 million,” Dr. Okoe-Boye said.
He stated that Bolgatanga now has its own fully functioning CT scan, which is a significant step forward in healthcare delivery, unlike the past where patients were transported to another hospital for essential diagnostic tests like CT scans.
The minister disclosed that the construction of ultramodern facilities like the urology and nephrology centres at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital promises to transform specialised healthcare in the country.
“The new urology centre will have two theatres working 24/7, and is equipped with 71 beds. This facility alone will significantly reduce waiting times for procedures and improve patient outcomes,” he said.
He also mentioned that government has integrated innovative technologies like drone deliveries to improve access to medical supplies in remote areas where drones were been used to deliver life-saving medicines to address challenges with transportation.
That initiative, he explained, has proven essential particularly in emergency situations, while listing several ongoing projects, including the completion of the Koforidua Eastern Regional Hospital and the 250-bed Sewua Treatment Centre in the Ashanti Region, which is poised to further enhance healthcare delivery in the country.
He further indicated that such investments not only improve health outcomes, but also create jobs, demonstrating government’s commitment to both healthcare and economic development.
The minister explained that the country’s healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving, with the government determined to ensure every Ghanaian has access to quality medical care.
“We are working tirelessly to operationalise more facilities and bring healthcare closer to the people,” he emphasised.
He said work is progressing steadily on the reconstruction of the La General Hospital and, therefore, assured Ghanaians, particularly the people of La, of government’s commitment to complete the projects within the stipulated time.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah