The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has voiced concerns about the delayed completion of major health facilities in the Ashanti Region.
He attributed the current congestion and strain on the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital to these delays.
Highlighting the 500-bed Afari Military Hospital and the 250-bed Sewua Hospital as pivotal projects, the GMA emphasized that their completion would ease the burden on the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, a crucial referral center serving 12 regions.
Critiquing the government’s prioritization of Agenda 111 hospitals over the refurbishment of the referral hospital, the GMA noted fundraising efforts by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for the latter.
Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, Ashanti Regional President of the Ghana Medical Association, suggested reallocating resources from Agenda 111 projects to refurbish the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, addressing inefficiencies.
During discussions with Dr. Mahammudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer, Dr. Baidoo proposed redirecting resources from 10 Agenda 111 hospitals to retool the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
In response, Dr. Bawumia acknowledged the congestion issue and assured that the Afari and Sewua hospitals would soon be operational, with Sewua expected to be commissioned by July 2024 and Afari by August 2024.
“With the overcrowding that we are seeing at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, I agree with the suggestion to dedicate resources to retooling the hospital.
“And with particular reference to the two hospitals that are almost done, Sewua which is a regional hospital, and Afari which is a military hospital, we expect Sewua to be commissioned hopefully by July [2024] and commission Afari in August [2024] as well.”