Ghanaian contractors to build 111 Hospitals
Government has amended its promise to construct 88 hospitals to 111 hospitals as a long term response to the health needs of Ghanaians.
Delivering the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review statement in Parliament yesterday, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta explained that the coronavirus pandemic has revealed structural flaws in the country’s health care system.
“That is why, with urgency, we have already begun to mount an effective, coordinated and sustainable, long-term response to the health needs of the people” he stated
Mr Ofori-Atta added that “under the “Agenda 111”, previously Agenda 88 initiative of the President, we will design, build, equip and staff new hospitals in every district without one, and a new regional hospital in every region with none”.
The Finance Minister said the President has declared that all the district hospitals will be designed and built by Ghanaian companies and will lay the foundation for the launch of a nation-wide housing programme.
President Nana Akufo-Addo on April 27 in his 8th address to the nation announced the construction of 88 new districts hospitals across the country in response to the global coronavirus pandemic.
These 100-bed districts hospitals will the biggest investment in the health sector of the country, according to the President.
In addition to that, the government will also construct six new regional hospitals in six new regions to boost healthcare delivery in the country.
Sounding upbeat, the Finance Minister said “we must not and will not be daunted by this extraordinary crisis. Government will continue to do what it has to do – to protect lives and support livelihoods through compassionate, competent and courageous leadership”.
Mr Ofori-Atta said until a vaccine is found, we have no choice but to re-arrange our lifestyle in order to protect lives and promote livelihoods. It requires the marshalling of unprecedented resources to contend with the pandemic and its effects on Ghanaians.
Justifying the need to expand access of health care delivery in the country, the Finance Minister noted that there are fears the pandemic will prevail for a long time and its effects, suggest 2020 and beyond will be very challenging.
“Ghana will therefore need a continuity of courageous, compassionate and competent Government with a well-crafted programme to protect the lives of Ghanaians, safeguard jobs and support businesses to sustain operations during this period and especially in the four years ahead,” he added.
The President in announcing this initiative said each of the now proposed 111 hospitals will also have accommodation for doctors, nurses and other health workers and these hospitals will be completed in within a year once the construction begins.
The President has, since last Wednesday, cut the sod for the construction of a new Regional Hospital in Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
The 70 Million euro 600-bed facility is expected to be completed in 36 months.