Dr. Bernard Okoye, Minister for Health
The Minister for Health, Dr. Bernard Okoye, has explained a collaborative effort that led to the commissioning of the Sekyere Kumawu District Hospital.
On July 17, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo officially commissioned the Sekyere Kumawu District Hospital, marking a significant milestone in the region's healthcare delivery.
Speaking during the event, the minister explained that the ministry signed a contract with NMS Infrastructure in 2012 for the design, construction, and equipping of seven health facilities across Ghana, with a total investment of $175 million.
According to him, the Sekyere Kumawu District Hospital is one of the key facilities, equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology and offering a range of services, including outpatient and inpatient care, surgery, obstetrics, and alternative medicine.
The new hospital features 120 beds and aims to provide comprehensive healthcare to the Kumawu community and surrounding areas.
The Minister noted that the hospital is part of a broader initiative to enhance healthcare infrastructure in the Ashanti Region, which has seen numerous projects completed and others underway.
However, the Minister also addressed several challenges that remain, including the need for improved road access to the facility, ongoing maintenance issues, and the importance of staff training to ensure high-quality patient care.
"The biggest challenge facing the Ministry is the maintenance of hospital facilities. Government, by the end of this year 2024, will have invested over US$900m to put up new facilities.
"However, without proper maintenance, the full value of these facilities will never be achieved. Ghana Health Service must revamp its maintenance strategies to keep these facilities for generations.
"The Ministry over the years has put in a program to maintain equipment for at least the first two years after handing over.
"This program has worked well but the critical phase is the period beyond 5 years after hospital operations. Hospital Managers of this new facility need to set up a maintenance fund, especially for facility maintenance," he said.
He stressed that without proper maintenance, the substantial government investment in healthcare facilities would not achieve its intended impact.
The commissioning of the Sekyere Kumawu District Hospital is expected to significantly improve healthcare delivery in the area, benefiting the local population and contributing to the national goal of Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
AM/OGB
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