His Excellency Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur (middle) with Prof. Aaron Lawson, Project Coordinator (first from right), and Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, Vice-Chancellor (first from left). Looking on are members of the University community and some pressmen.
The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, has paid a visit to the University of Ghana to acquaint himself with the progress of work on the University of Ghana Medical Centre. He was met on arrival by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu and other officials of the University.
Welcoming the Vice-President to the Medical Centre, the Project Coordinator and Interim CEO, Prof. Aaron Lawson indicated that the project is modeled on that of Sheba Medical Centre in Israel and is the first of its kind in Ghana and in the sub-Region.
Prof. Lawson noted that the project was in two phases, adding that Phase 1 comprises 7 buildings which will provide a total of 650 beds. The facilities include Emergency, Imaging, Operating Theatres, Laboratories, Computer and Mechanical rooms; Obstetrics & Gynaecology as well as the Paediatrics departments with facilities for Assisted Reproductive Technology; hospital administration, clinics and a theatre for Day Surgery. Other units are Internal Medicine and Surgery, Cardiology ward and an Intensive Care unit with surgical subspecialties; a Medical Training Centre and Staff Cafeteria; a Modest Staff Accommodation of 36 bedroomed flats; and a Maintenance/Logistics building with Kitchen, Laundry, Housekeeping, Pharmacy storage, General storage, Morgue and Mechanical Rooms.
Phase 2, he said will increase the capacity to 1000 beds and comprise a Heart, Cancer and Rehabilitation Centre, as well as a Medical Hotel, Housing and a Dialysis Unit. Prof. Lawson further indicated that the Medical Centre will complement operations of other hospitals across the country and also serve as a referral hub. As part of the project package, he noted that a provision has been made for recruiting a total of 2,806 members of staff. The Hospital he said is expected to be opened in November 2016.
In his response, His Excellency Kwesi Amissah-Arthur said he was particularly impressed with the progress of work on the hospital. He asked questions pertaining to the hospital staffing, partnership with other hospitals across the country, and its sustainability strategy. He noted that the hospital is a state-of-the-art facility and therefore it was important to attach diligence and hard work on the part of staff to ensure quality healthcare delivery. He stressed the importance of keeping the facilities in good condition as the hospital is of an international standard.
Making brief remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu said the hospital is indeed significant to providing the needed healthcare for Ghanaians and those in the sub-Region. In the case of emergencies, he noted that the University will ensure unrestricted entry of ambulances enroute to the hospital while being mindful of trespassing commercial vehicles feigning to convey sick persons to the hospital. Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu expressed gratitude to the project engineers for their hard work towards the first phase of the project.
The New Medical and Teaching Hospital at the University of Ghana was initiated in 2011 through a Parliamentary and Cabinet approval, and comes with a loan facility from Israel for the design, construction and installation of medical equipment. The Project is executed by Messrs Engineering & Development Consultants Ltd of Israel and the Sheba Medical Centre as the Medical Consultants.
His Excellency Kwesi Amissah-Arthur inspects one of the hospital equipment
Some pictures of the University of Ghana Medical Centre
