The newly constructed Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has been completed, marking a significant milestone in healthcare infrastructure.
Funded through a €38 million credit facility by the government, the project underscores a commitment to universal health coverage and quality healthcare provision.
Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, appointed by the President to oversee the Ministry of Health, conducted a working visit to KBTH on April 29, 2024, as part of his oversight duties of key government health projects.
During the visit, Dr. Okoe-Boye noted several key features of the facility.
The three-storey building is fully equipped with modern amenities including beds, furniture, and state-of-the-art medical equipment, both inside and out.
Notably, it boasts a 31-bed dialysis station catering to individuals with chronic kidney disease, alongside a 70-bed space dedicated to genito-urinary patients.
The facility encompasses various units such as outpatient, diagnostic and treatment, in-patient services, administration, training rooms, and a management and technology center, providing comprehensive care.
Guided by Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, the CEO of KBTH, the visiting team also inspected the refurbished Fevers Unit, now transformed into a modern infectious disease center, showcasing a holistic approach to healthcare infrastructure development.
Dr. Okoe-Boye emphasized the advanced treatment options available at the facility, particularly for individuals with genito-urinary conditions, chronic and acute kidney failures, and specialized nephrology services including kidney transplants. This signifies a significant step forward in enhancing healthcare delivery and addressing critical medical needs within the community.
“The centre will also provide outpatient services and serve as a resource base to conduct research into urology and nephrology cases,” he said.
He said the facility was initiated by the current government as part of its commitment to the delivery of universal health coverage and quality healthcare for all.
“It is common knowledge that there is a lack of specialized care both at the primary and tertiary level when it comes to the practice of urology and nephrology in the country which needs to be addressed.
“In response to this, a proposal was initially designed to run as a Public Private Partnership model to fund the construction of the facility.
“Under the PPP, the investor was going to run the facility until they had recouped their investment before handing over,” he said.
However, Dr Okoe-Boye said that the current government, recognizing the importance of such a project decided to renegotiate the project and revise the model of payment.
“The financial arrangement as well as the construction operational arrangement and payback period posed a challenge, as a result, the government in 2017, decided to replace this model with an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Turkey model under an Export Credit Arrangement (ECA).
“The Government therefore secured a loan of thirty-eight (38) million Euros for the construction of the modern Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital,” he said.
Dr. Okoe-Boye noted that the inception of this project traces back to August 11, 2020, when President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo initiated the construction and equipping of the 101-bed facility. This underscores a proactive approach by the government to address healthcare needs comprehensively.
Regarding the transformation of the fevers unit into an infectious disease center, Dr. Okoe-Boye highlighted the government’s decision stemmed from the unit’s dire condition.
However, he emphasized the importance of ensuring that both patients and healthcare providers receive and offer services in an environment that upholds dignity and respect.
“This project was initiated by the government as part of the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This was an existing building that was remodeled in line with the COVID Infection Prevention and Control Practices to serve both as a treatment centre and also to continue to perform its function as a fevers unit.
“The project commenced from 1st March 2021 to 31st December 2023, at a contract sum of GH¢23,521,654.94,” he said.
He continued, “The place has been renovated and retrofitted with modern equipment. It has two intensive care units with a total capacity of 120 beds.
“It has also been fitted with a modern laboratory to be operated by the GHS’s reference laboratory. The laboratory has a similar capacity as the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
“The laboratory can conduct an examination into all manner of viruses and infectious disease examinations, including Lassa fever and Marburg.
“It has a reception and waiting areas, counselling rooms, consulting rooms, staff lounge, 50-seater meeting room, IT and general administrative offices, X-ray and imaging rooms, patient wards (male, female, and paediatric, decontamination rooms and changing rooms for clinical purposes among others,” he added.