The Minister of Health, Dr. Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, has announced that the Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the conversion of the Bono Regional Hospital into a teaching hospital.
He shared this development during a stakeholder’s meeting held in Sunyani, attended by various regional officials, academia, health professionals, and traditional leaders.
Dr. Agyemang-Manu, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Dormaa Central Constituency, disclosed that the approval at the 45th Cabinet meeting held in February had paved the way for the establishment of a medical school at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR).
“It is evident that the conversion to a teaching Hospital status will strengthen the Bono Regional Hospital’s position as a Centre of Excellence and attract top-tier medical professionals to the region,” he stated.
This transformation holds significant potential to revolutionize healthcare and medical education not only in the region but also beyond its borders.
The Minister emphasized that becoming a teaching hospital would position the Bono Regional Hospital as a Center of Excellence, attracting top-tier medical professionals to the region.
“We envision a future where the region becomes a hub of medical excellence, where talented minds from all walks of life come together to learn, innovate and transform the landscape of healthcare.
” These initiatives, Dr Agyemang-Manu believed these initiatives would strongly align with the nation’s quest for the attainment of United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3.8) which seeks to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
“To attain UHC, we need to improve our health service coverage and health outcomes.
The influx of specialists and healthcare experts would not only benefit patients but also contribute to the region’s economic growth, turning it into a powerful hub for healthcare, innovation, and research.
Moreover, the decision to establish a medical school stemmed from the understanding of the importance of investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals. Dr. Agyemang-Manu envisioned a future where the region would become a hub of medical excellence, attracting talented minds from diverse backgrounds to learn, innovate, and transform the healthcare landscape.
These initiatives align with the nation’s pursuit of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3.8). The Government is committed to ensuring that the health workforce receives adequate professional training in various specialties, which led to the establishment of the postgraduate college.
Dr. Agyemang-Manu urged the Ministry of Education, through UENR, to expedite the processes for the medical school’s establishment. He called upon all relevant stakeholders to collaborate and support the realization of the teaching hospital.
Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister, expressed her belief that the establishment of a teaching hospital would elevate the standard of healthcare services in the region significantly.
By providing medical students with hands-on, real-life experiences, they can be equipped with the practical skills and knowledge needed to become exemplary healthcare professionals.
She hoped that offering a medical school and teaching hospital within the region would encourage medical graduates to stay and serve in the area, addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals and improving healthcare accessibility for citizens.
“As they forge strong bonds with our communities during their training, we can expect a greater likelihood of them staying and serving in our region, addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals and positively impacting healthcare accessibility for our citizens,” Madam Owusu-Banahene stated.