Swedru Gov´t Hospital facing accommodation crisis

The Management of the Swedru Municipal Government Hospital has expressed grave concern about the critical accommodation predicament facing medical officers, nurses and paramedical staffs of the hospital.

According to the management, over 267 staffs including causal workers totaling over 500 have no accommodation.

The three bungalows earmarked for the hospital have been allocated to the only three medical doctors.

Dr Apetogbor Dzedegbe, Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, made this known to the media at the Annual Peer Review conference held at Agona Swedru.

The peer review exercise was to assess performance and maintenance of healthcare standards.

It was attended by Central Regional Health Directorate, Apam hospital, Winneba Municipal Hospital, Winneba Trauma Specialist Hospital and Kasoa Poly Clinic.

Dr Dzedegbe said Management has made several appeals to the Agona West Municipal Assembly to least build one staff quarter in every year to reduce the problem but to no avail.

He said many medical officers have expressed their willingness to accept postings to Agona Swedru but they have all refused.

He said management has decided to enter Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with Social Security and National Trust (SSNIT) and other private state developers to construct flats on rental basis.

According to the Medical Superintendent, the Hospital with only three medical doctors serves more than 83,000 patients from over 500 communities.

The Medical Superintendent called for massive infrastructural development with provision of modern equipment to enhance efficiency in health delivery system.

He said currently the Haemomatology Auto machine at the laboratory department of the hospital has been broken down and it will be difficult to mobilize funds to procure a new one.

Mr Samuel Oppong, Agona West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), praised the management of the hospital for their tireless efforts that has lifted the image of the health facility.

He said the Assembly has constructed about 10 CHIP compounds in the Municipality as part of government’s effort to bring healthcare to the door steps of the people.

He assured the management of Agona Swedru Government hospital that government has completed plans to establish Nursing Training College and plans are also underway to construct a 40-bed hospital at Agona Swedru.