Construction of a new children’s hospital in Weija, within the Weija Gbawe municipality, is currently at 65% completion.
The facility, which is being funded by the World Bank with a budget of $9 million, will accommodate 120 beds upon its anticipated opening.
The hospital aims to address the increasing concerns about the deteriorating state of the Princess Marie Louise Hospital, the capital’s sole public children’s hospital. By easing the burden on the existing facility, it will also facilitate necessary future renovations.
During a recent inspection by Health Minister Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, contractor Joseph Adams of Awerco Construction Limited confirmed that efforts are underway to meet the September deadline for project completion.
The new hospital is set to include an emergency unit, neonatal and pediatric intensive care units, recovery wards, three operating theatres, VIP wards, imaging and biomedical laboratories, an outpatient department (OPD), and accommodations for mothers.
Dr. Okoe Boye commended the progress made by the contractors and encouraged them to adhere to the established timelines. He also urged them to prioritize hiring skilled workers from the local community to support the local economy.
“This project is a testament to the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration’s commitment to improving pediatric care in Ghana,” he said.
“Once operational, this new hospital will significantly enhance healthcare delivery for children in Accra and beyond,” Dr Okoe Boye added.
He highlighted that the initiative formed part of a broader governmental drive to enhance healthcare infrastructure nationwide, with a particular emphasis on improving child health.
Speaking in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital, the Health Minister noted significant progress in the construction of the 500-unit Maternity and Children’s Block at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
This new facility aims to replace the structurally unsound 45-year-old structure that was recently demolished.
The revival of this project was achieved through collaboration involving the First Lady’s office, the Manhyia Palace, and the Multimedia Group. It resulted in the establishment of a Mother and Baby Unit to alleviate immediate congestion issues at KATH.
Further underscoring the government’s commitment to child health, the Health Minister announced in November 2021 that the National Health Insurance Scheme would cover childhood cancers.
This groundbreaking policy includes the diagnosis and treatment of major childhood cancers like Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Burkitt Lymphoma, Retinoblastoma, and Wilms Tumour, which are highly treatable when detected early.
Additionally, construction is underway for a 40-bed Pediatric Oncology block at the children’s unit of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, developed in collaboration with private sector partners. This multipurpose facility is set to significantly enhance healthcare delivery for the country’s future generation.
The new Mother and Child Centre, a centenary project at Korle Bu, is poised to replace the outdated Maternity block and revolutionize maternity healthcare at Ghana’s premier health facility.
During a recent inspection, Dr. Okoe-Boye expressed optimism about the ongoing projects and their potential to transform healthcare delivery nationwide.
He stressed the importance of prioritizing specialist hospitals in Ghana, noting their crucial role in providing specialized medical services, enhancing professional specialization among healthcare providers, and relieving overcrowding in general hospitals.
This strategic focus, he emphasized, would elevate the standard of medical care available to the nation’s youngest citizens.