The Upper West Regional Hospital has been opened to the public 144 days after it was commissioned by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. The opening of the Hospital in Wa means that the public can now access clinical and non-clinical services at the facility.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Haifz Bin Salih, the Overlord of the Waala Traditional Area, Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo and the Acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye were among the dignitaries who volunteered themselves to be seen by health professionals at the facility after the short opening ceremony.
The Upper West Regional Hospital is a 160 bed capacity health facility constructed by Egyptian company, Euroget De-Invest. The Hospital is beginning with a staff strength of 280 which includes 6 medical officers. The Medical Officers include a Dentist, an Orthopedic Doctor, a Medical Doctor in charge of Obstetrics and Gynecology and 3 other General surgeons.
Services to be run by the facility include General Outpatient Department (OPD), Ear-Nose and Throat, Eye care, dental care, dermatology, radiology, orthopedics and obstetrics and gynecology. The facility is headed by Dr. Robert Amesiya, a 44-year-old Orthopedic Doctor who was the Medical Superintendent at the St. Theresa’s Hospital at Nandom.
After the commissioning of the hospital, health staff were drawn from various health facilities in the region and trained for a 3 month period to enable them operate the machinery installed in the facility. The facility received accreditation from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to operate and treat patients bearing the National Health Insurance Card in December.
Speaking at the opening of the facility, the Acting Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye said the delays encountered in operationalising the facility was anticipated by the GHS because of the retraining of staff and the wait for certification from the National Hospitals Regulatory Commission, the National Health Insurance Authority and the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission.
The Acting Director-General said the Health Administration is going to be intolerable of unprofessionalism and indiscipline by health staff. Dr. Kuma-Aboagye mentioned that although the hospital is beginning with some logistical constraints, plans are far advanced to resource the remaining facilities and staff to ensure the facility runs at full capacity.
He advised patients to continue to seek health care at the lower level facilities to enable the staff at the Regional Hospital to focus on emergencies and referrals.
“As a secondary referral facility, I would appeal to the public to access healthcare at the lower levels including CHPS compounds, health centres, Municipals and District Hospitals. Referrals cases or cases beyond the capacity of those below the Regional Hospital [CHPS compounds, health centres, Municipals and District Hospitals] would be sent to the new Regional Hospital,” he pleaded.
Dr. Kuma Aboagye said the reason was to “ensure that the gate-keepers system is respected”.
The Deputy Health Minister, Alex Kojo Kom Abban said government’s commitment to ensuring Ghana achieves Universal Healthcare for all is unwavering. Mr Kom Abban said government would do this by continuous investment in training healthcare professionals and delivering infrastructure.
The Deputy Health Minister praised all past Presidents and administrations for their commitment towards the construction of the hospital. Mr Kom Abban admonished the staff to uphold a healthy maintenance culture. This he said would enhance the longevity of the project and allow a lot more Ghanaians to benefit.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih used the occasion to appeal to the Ghana Health Service for more health professionals to be posted to the region. Dr. Bin Salih said the Upper West Region has become a place where health professionals can thrive, thus the need for them to accept postings.
Story filed by Mark Smith.
