The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has officially commissioned the rehabilitated and refurbished Bolgatanga Regional Hospital. He commissioned the facility on Thursday, August 15, 2024 in the Upper East Region, at a colourful ceremony.
The state-of-the-art facility, which has seen several renovations over the years, was done at a cost of $52 million. The facility has, among others, a modern kitchen, a central sterile supply department, a mortuary block, staff accommodation and medical equipment installations.
The development was funded through a $20 million concessional loan from the Saudi Fund for Development, which funded the second and third phases of the project.
An additional $32 million from the same fund ensured the completion of critical infrastructure.
CHALLEGES
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the challenges faced during the execution of the project, particularly funding issues that threatened to limit its scope.
He also stressed that, through persistent efforts by the Ministry of Health, the necessary resources were secured, allowing for the comprehensive upgrade of the hospital.
Adding that, the result is a modern facility equipped to meet the growing healthcare needs of the region’s population.
GRATITUDE
HE expressed gratitude to the Saudi Fund for Development for their financial support and to all stakeholders who contributed to the successful completion of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital project.
He called on the people of Bolgatanga and the Upper East Region to take ownership of the hospital, care for it and support the health workers serving the community.
“The Akufo-Addo government remains committed to the development and well-being of every Ghanaian. We act without bias or discrimination,” he asserted.
QUALITY HEALTHCARE
The President, in his address, emphasised the importance of accessible and quality healthcare, adding that it is a fundamental right for every Ghanaian.
“Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right of every citizen, and it is the responsibility of government to ensure that the exercise of this right is not just theoretical but more importantly, practical,” the President stated.
He highlighted that the revitalised hospital is a testament to his government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that no Ghanaian is left behind in the quest for quality healthcare.
AGENDA 111
The President ceased the platform to outline his administration’s broader healthcare agenda, including the ongoing Agenda 111 initiative, which aims to construct 111 district hospitals and regional facilities across the country.
He announced that as of May 2024, work on 96 sites was actively progressing, with several expected to be completed by the end of the year.
President Akufo-Addo assured the nation that his government remains committed to promoting the development of all regions, regardless of their political leanings.
“The NPP government remains dedicated to promoting the development of this region, even though the region has consistently not supported our political objectives,” he remarked.
UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION
In addition to infrastructure, the President highlighted the need to address the uneven distribution of healthcare workers, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
He urged the Ministry of Health to expedite the finalisation of an incentive package to attract and retain medical professionals where they are most needed.
Reflecting on his government’s achievements in the healthcare sector, President Akufo-Addo noted the recruitment of over 200,000 medical personnel since 2017 and the significant expansion of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which has seen a 69% increase in active membership under his administration.
He also pointed to the addition of 8,665 hospital beds across the country as a clear indication of his government’s determination to expand healthcare infrastructure.
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