Government has made major strides in healthcare infrastructure and digital innovation - Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye

The Minister of Health Dr Bernard Okoe Boye has stated that Ghana's healthcare sector has made significant advancements under the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

During a press briefing at the Ministry of Information on September 18,2024,, the minister outlined the government’s achievements in both infrastructure development and digital transformation aimed at improving healthcare delivery nationwide.

Highlighting completed projects, Dr. Okoe Boye noted the completion of the Kumawu and Fomena District Hospitals, which had been initiated by the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.

“Kumawu District Hospital, which was less than 30% complete before this government came into office, is now fully operational.

“The same goes for Fomena Hospital, which was about 35% complete,” he said.

According to him, the government has not only finished existing projects but also upgraded healthcare facilities.

Dr. Okoe Boye revealed that phase two of the Bolgatanga Hospital, costing $20 million, has been commissioned, providing the region with its first fully functioning CT scan and other diagnostic equipment.

On the digital front, Dr. Okoe Boye detailed how IT-enabled systems have streamlined patient care.

“If you are transferred from Central Regional Hospital to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, you don’t carry a folder. You just have to give your ID number, and the system has all your data,” he explained.

The minister also emphasised the importance of the government’s ongoing Agenda 111 projects, a $7.65 billion initiative designed to build 104 district hospitals, seven regional hospitals, and new psychiatric facilities across the country.

The projects, currently at various stages of completion, are expected to create over 60,000 jobs and vastly improve access to healthcare.

In addition to hospital construction, he added that the government has completed over 250 Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds and 400 health centres across the country.

“These investments not only improve health outcomes but also address unemployment, demonstrating the government's commitment to both healthcare and economic development,” he added.

AM/KA