Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, has raised serious concerns regarding the prolonged delays in the opening of the Sewua and Afari Military hospitals.
He warned that if the hospitals remain closed, the state could face expensive maintenance costs due to the potential expiration of warranties on the equipment already installed.
The Sewua Hospital, with 250 beds, and the Afari Military Hospital, which boasts 500 beds, have both seen multiple missed deadlines for becoming operational.
Mr Osei-Mensah pointed out that continued delays could add significant financial burdens, as the equipment may require costly repairs or replacements.
Speaking at a government forum in Kumasi on November 8, the minister emphasized the urgency of opening these facilities.
He highlighted the critical role they would play in alleviating pressure on other healthcare institutions, particularly the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and improving medical services in the region.
“I talked about two hospital facilities which I consider should be operationalised within the shortest possible time. We need to commission them for them to start receiving patients. These two are the Sewua Regional Hospital and the Afari Military Hospital. The Sewua Regional Hospital has a 250-bed capacity and the Afari Hospital has a 500-bed capacity.
“The reason why I’m saying we should commission them is that both of them are complete. Sewua is complete. What we’re waiting for is the access road, but the contractor is in the advanced stage, which we know he will complete in the next few weeks. Afari Hospital, we were having some challenges with the sewerage system.
“Now they have completed that so we can also commission them. My main concern is that if we don’t commission these facilities, within the shortest possible time, the warranty period for some of these equipment might elapse. It will mean we will have to find money and go and buy new ones. That is what we need to avoid.”