Gov’t cuts sod for construction of six new District Hospitals

Madam Sherry Ayittey, Minister for Health, has cut sod for commencement of constructional works on six new District Hospitals in the country, at Kansaworodo, near Takoradi on Wednesday.

The constructional works would take place at health facilities at Dodowa, Sekondi, Kumawu, Abetifi, Formena and Garu Tempane.

Madam Ayittey said as part of the project, the Takoradi Government Hospital would be upgraded and re-equipped.

She said the Ministry of Health, and the United Kingdom based Messrs NMS Infrastructure Limited, signed a 175-million dollar contract in November 2012 to finance the project.

Madam Ayittey said the contract formed part of Government’s efforts to eliminate health care disparity in the country.

She said Government was also committed to reducing infant and maternal mortality towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.

Madam Ayittey said a Project Steering Committee comprising stakeholders had been put in place to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

Mr. Mark Oliver, a Director of Messrs NMS Infrastructure Limited, said each hospital has been designed to “Custom fit its location” by a team of experts from the UK and Ghana.

Dr. Samuel Kaba, Director of the Institutional Care Division of the Ghana Health Service, expressed joy that the new hospitals would have accommodation for doctors and nurses.

He said the hospitals would also become first referral points that would provide efficient and effective health care.

Mr. Ebenezer Teye Addo, Western Regional Minister, expressed worry at the rise in HIV-AIDS and teenage pregnancy cases in the region, particularly along the coastal belt.

He praised the chiefs of Kansaworodo for releasing land for the construction of the Sekondi District Hospital.

Source: GNA