New Legon Hospital 95 percent complete

The UGMC is a medical complex that is expected to focus on academic training of pre-service and practicing health professionals, research and clinical services at a quaternary level.

The project commenced on the 12th of March 2011 with a sod-cutting ceremony by His Excellency Professor John Evans Atta Mills.

In June 2011, Cabinet gave approval for a loan facility from Israel for the design, construction, and installation of medical equipment for the 617-bed Hospital facility for the University of Ghana.

It is a turnkey project being undertaken by Messrs Engineering &Development Consultants Ltd of Israel, with Sheba Medical Centre as the Medical Consultants.

Parliamentary approval was granted in July 2011, and in August 2012, a Value for Money Audit process was completed.

In November 2012, a commercial contract was signed and the contractor mobilised to site in April 2013.

The cost of construction is USD184, 740,001.00

Total cost including finance charges etc USD217, 000,000.00

So far 95% of core and shell has been completed and for the entire project, and 80% through.

The project is divided into 2 phases:

Phase 1 currently under construction will provide 617-beds when completed.

Phase 2 will increase the bed capacity to 1000.

Phase 1 comprises of the following facilities:

Building 1 – Central Building – this building houses the Emergency, Imaging, Operating Theatres, ICU & Recovery Ward, Research & Service Laboratories, Data Centre, CSSD and Mechanical rooms.

Building 2 – houses the Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics departments. One and a half floors have been added as shell space to provide facilities for a VIP o & G ward and facilities for Assisted Reproductive Technology.

Building 3 – Specialist Clinics, Day Surgery and Hospital Administration.

Building 4&5 – Merged for better integration and departmental linkages. Internal Medicine and Surgery, with cardiology ward and a cardiology intensive care unit; surgical subspecialties.

Building 6 – Medical Training Centre – this houses the Medical Simulation Centre with an auditorium and seminar rooms and Staff Cafeteria. It will be used as a national hands-on training facility for medical professionals in the country.

Building 7 – Modest Staff Accommodation 36 one-bedroom flats

Building 8 – Maintenance /Logistics Building – this houses the Medical Gas production Unit, Kitchen, Laundry, Housekeeping, Pharmacy storage, General storage, Morgue and Mechanical Rooms.

External Works – include Parking, Roads, Helipad, Infrastructure of Electrical and Mechanical (E&M) works have commenced.

Training

As part of the project package, about 90 Ghanaian health and non-health professionals are undergoing training at the Sheba Medical Centre in Israel.

Simulation Centre

To be used as a national facility for the training of pre-service and practicing health professionals. Collaboration with Regulatory Bodies.

Phase 2 focuses on providing facilities for the following:

Cardiovascular and Open Heart Surgeries, Neurosurgery and Day Surgeries. Additional Staff Housing, a Dialysis Unit, and a Commercial/Community Morgue and Equipment for Assisted Reproductive Technology.

These provisions have become extremely relevant in ensuring that the Hospital is able to handle more complex lifestyle diseases that have been on the increase in recent times. They are also meant to ensure financial sustainability of the Hospital.

The Hospital expects to start running by June 2016 when recruited staff will undergo training and orientation.

Clinical Services

To be offered at the subspecialist level: Includes general cardiology, interventional cardiology, General Internal Medicines, Neurology, Rheumatology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Anaesthesia & Pain Management Services, Obstetric & Gynae including Assisted Reproductive Technology, Paediatrics, Radiology, Psychiatry, Laboratory Services etc.

Partnerships

International partnerships with Sheba Medical Centre and others who have expressed interest.

Local partnerships with Ghanaian Health Regulatory Bodies, Ghana Health Service for the training of health Professionals.

Challenges

Challenges with infrastructure now include access roads, power, water supply to site and drainage but these, the project managers say are currently being addressed by the respective Government agencies.

Is this the new Phase of Healthcare in Ghana yet?