Government to invest 250 million dollars in Korle-Bu Hospital

Vice President John Dramani Mahama has said that Government would spend 250 million dollars on the recapitalization of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

He said a chunk of the money would be used in acquiring medical tools and equipment to make the hospital more functional.

The Vice President announced these at a ceremony for the commencement of work on Lions International Eye Centre at the hospital.

The 60 million dollar facility, which is sponsored by Lions International, Moorfields Eye Hospital, U.K, and other partners, would become the centre for quality eye care for Ghanaians and the West Africa sub-region.

Vice President Mahama said, the Eye Clinic would benefit from the retooling, and urged the hospital officials to ensure that all projects were executed on schedule.

He commended Lions International and other partners for their contribution towards the projects, and gave the assurance that Government would support the project to ensure its early completion.

Emeritus Professor E.D Yeboah, who spoke on behalf of Professor Bomi Ogedengbe, President of West Africa College of Surgeons, expressed happiness about the project, which according to him would provide world class eye care, practical training for instructors and specialists at the centre.

He said the centre would be used for research into eye disorders and prevention.

Emeritus Prof. E.D Yeboah noted that, the sub-region had about 2.6 million blind people, and more than 2.6 million suffering from conditions leading to preventable blindness.

He expressed hope that the Eye Clinic project if completed, would provide specialist manpower and resources to deal with eye problems.

“The hands on specialist skills training have begun about 18 months ago, with high standard modular courses in basic instrumentation, basic skills, cataract and corneal surgery by expert teachers from Moorfields and other centres to our trainers and consultants for future teachers, specialists in Ghana and the sub-region,” Emeritus Prof. E.D Yeboah said.

Prof. Nii Otu Nartey, Chief Executive of Korle-Bu Hospital, commended Moorfields Eye Hospital for their collaborative efforts to raise funds for the project, and Lion Club International that also supported the project.

He said the future of tertiary and quaternary eye care in the country was assured and the dream of making the centre a place of excellence for the sub-region would be a reality.**