Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has charged officials of the Ministry of Health to complete ongoing health infrastructure projects and operationalize them. He observed that most health projects are yet to be completed yet sod is being cut for new ones. Otumfuo expects government to tackle the projects one after the other to expand access
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Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has charged officials of the Ministry of Health to complete ongoing health infrastructure projects and operationalize them.
He observed that most health projects are yet to be completed yet sod is being cut for new ones.
Otumfuo expects government to tackle the projects one after the other to expand access to quality healthcare in the country.
“The Agenda 111 project is a laudable initiative, but none has so far been completed. So, government should focus on completing them. I understand funding challenge is gradually improving, especially now that government has announced an end to the debt restructuring programme.
“The KNUST Teaching Hospital also needs immediate attention. Its completion will not only expand medical training but bring access to quality healthcare delivery closer to many,” Asantehene said.
The Asantehene made these remarks when the Minister of Health paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace as part of his 3-day working visit in the Ashanti Region.
The overlord of the Ashanti Region was not enthused about the continuous delay in making the 250-bed capacity regional hospital at Sewuah operational despite its completion more than a year ago.
Though the Minister, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye had assured of making it operational this year, the Asantehene wants him to expedite the process.
“How can a fully equipped hospital of this nature be left to sit in the bush all because of power challenge and access to road network?” he questioned.
Dr Okoe Boye gave assurance to the Asantehene of Ministry’s resolve to bridge the health infrastructure gap in the country by completing all health projects and making them operational.
“We will do whatever we can to complete the ongoing projects and put in use the completed ones. We guarantee you that the Sewuah hospital will be functional in two months”.
The Health Minister also inspected progress of work on the 500-bed capacity Maternity and Children block at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
The project, scheduled to be completed in May 2023 has suffered delays owing to financial constraints.
The contractors have however given an indication that, the project would be completed and handed over in 2025.
Dr Okoe Boye refuted claims that government has sidelined Ashanti region in the provision of health infrastructure.
“In Ashanti Region alone, close to 2000-beds are being added by this government. Nineteen 60-bed capacity agenda 111 projects, five 40-bed capacity turnkey projects, 500-bed Afari military hospital, 250-bed Sewuah hospital, 120-bed Kumawu and Fomena hospitals, 500-bed KATH MBU, and 60-bed Tepa hospital among others.
So it’s interesting when people try to create the impression that Ashanti Region that is known to have a lot of love for this government has been abandoned. This government will work hard to make sure that we complete all health projects on stream and follow through with what have been earmarked, especially the Agenda 111”, he stated.
The Health Minister and his entourage toured a 40-bed capacity hospital project at Suame which is expected to be operational by the end of September.
The post Asantehene urges Health Minister to ensure completion and operationalization of health facilities under construction first appeared on 3News.
