Government urged to complete causality unit

Takoradi, Dec. 07 -GNA-The Western Regional Branch of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) on Wednesday called on the government to release funds to complete a new causality unit project at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital for the Ghana 2008 tournament.

Addressing a press conference in Takoradi, Dr Bernard Boateng-Duah, the Regional Chairman of the GMA, said renovation works on an abandoned building at the hospital for the unit has come to a standstill because of lack of funds.

He said the present causality unit of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital is not big enough and equipped to handle mass causalities should they occur.

Dr Boateng-Duah said members of the association are not "Prophets of doom" but it would be prudent to complete the new and bigger causality unit and equip it for use during Ghana 2008. He said the Regional Branch of the Association is also concerned that due attention is not being paid to the medical and sanitation preparedness for the tournament.

Dr Boateng-Duah said health facilities in the Sekondi-Takoradi could cater for only residents and the influx of large number of visitors into the area during the tournament could put pressure on the facilities in event of health problems.

He said the facilities do not have sufficient drugs, ambulances and staff to handle mass emergency situations. Dr Boateng-Duah said the association was proposing the establishment of field hospitals near the Essipong Sports Stadium Complex and at Takoradi to handle medical cases.

He urged the government to support the training of health personnel in the management of emergency cases.