St Martin de Porres Hospital seeks upgrade over rising healthcare demand

The management of St Martin de Porres Catholic Hospital at Agomanya in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region has called for a review of the facility’s classification, citing rising healthcare demand, staffing shortages and the expansion of its services.

The Hospital Manager and Administrator, Emmanuel Bosompim, made the appeal during the hospital’s 80th anniversary celebration and the commissioning of new facilities on Thursday, October 8, 2026.

Bosompim said the hospital’s workload and service requirements warranted a fresh assessment of its current classification as a Level C primary healthcare facility.

According to him, the hospital recorded 96,155 outpatient visits in 2024, up from 88,583 in 2023, representing an increase of approximately 8.5 per cent.

The hospital had targeted 100,000 outpatient visits for 2025, reflecting the growing demand for its services.

Bosompim said the facility continued to provide healthcare to residents of the Krobo area and neighbouring communities despite significant staffing and infrastructure constraints.

Staffing shortages challenge service delivery

Bosompim disclosed that the hospital had a total staff strength of 417, comprising 300 government-paid employees and 117 workers supported through internally generated funds.

However, the facility required an estimated 600 to 650 staff to meet its operational needs, leaving a substantial workforce gap.

He identified shortages of critical personnel, including paediatricians, critical care nurses and emergency nurses, as some of the challenges affecting the hospital’s operations.

The reliance on internally generated funds to pay 117 staff members was also putting pressure on the hospital’s finances and making it difficult to sustain its workforce.

Bosompim appealed for support to address the staffing challenges and improve the facility’s capacity to provide quality healthcare.

Other concerns included inadequate staff accommodation, limited land for expansion and the need for an additional ward to accommodate patients.

He also raised concerns about commercial motorcycle operators parking in front of the hospital’s main entrance, warning that the practice could obstruct access during emergencies.

Hospital expands specialised services

The call for a review of the hospital’s classification comes as the facility continues to expand its services and improve its infrastructure.

The hospital introduced CT scan services in 2024, recording 561 patients during the year, while 528 patients had accessed the service by the middle of 2025.

Its eye department attended to 4,981 patients in 2024, compared with 2,895 in 2023.

The hospital also introduced dental and ear, nose and throat (ENT) services in 2024, recording 338 and 687 patients, respectively.

By the middle of 2025, the dental department had attended to 268 patients, while the ENT department had recorded 685 patients, according to the administrator’s report.

Other services introduced by the hospital include VIP outpatient and fast-track services, homecare and a homecare ambulance service.

The hospital has also pursued improvements in diagnostic capacity and administrative operations as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery.

New facilities commissioned

The anniversary celebration also featured the commissioning of new facilities intended to improve the hospital’s operations and service delivery.

These included a conference hall and a stores and offices complex to support the hospital’s expanding services.

Bosompim said the conference hall would facilitate professional training, collaboration and community engagement, while the stores and offices complex would improve the management of medical supplies and administrative activities.

The hospital has also introduced a mentorship programme to support the professional development of healthcare workers and improve patient care.

The anniversary was held on the theme, “Honouring the Past, Strengthening the Present, Shaping the Future and Advancing Healthcare Excellence.”

Konor envisions specialist hospital status

The Konor of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area and President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, Nene Sakite II, expressed optimism that the hospital could eventually develop into a specialist or teaching hospital.

Represented by Nene Teye Adjiso III, Asafoatse of Suisi Menekpo, he commended the hospital for its contribution to healthcare delivery in Manya Krobo and neighbouring communities over the past eight decades.

He also acknowledged its role in public health interventions, particularly efforts to combat COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS.

Nene Sakite II encouraged the hospital to sustain its progress and expressed hope that it would continue to expand its services to meet the healthcare needs of the population.

The Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Dr Peter Yeboah, also highlighted the hospital’s historical contribution to faith-based healthcare in Ghana.

He described St Martin de Porres Catholic Hospital as the first Catholic hospital in the CHAG family and a founding member of the association.

Dr Yeboah called for sustained investment in mentorship, leadership development and succession planning to ensure the hospital’s continued growth.

The Catholic Bishop of Koforidua, Most Rev. Joseph Kwaku Afrifah-Agyekum; the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Chief Executive, John Atteh Matey; and the Municipal Director of Health Services, Dr James Atampiiga Avoka, also commended the hospital for its contribution to healthcare delivery.

Established through the initiative of Bishop Oliver Bowers, the hospital has grown from a clinic into a major healthcare provider serving communities within and beyond the Krobo area.