The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) is advocating for the adoption of a strict maintenance culture regime under the Agenda 111 project to make it more viable.
The project which commenced simultaneously at 88 sites across the country on 17 August seeks to bridge health infrastructure gaps following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking on Asaase Radio’s Candid Voice with Benjamin Offei-Addo on Sunday (22 August), Dr Justice Yankson, the General secretary of the GMA said the project is a good initiative and must be supported by all Ghanaians.
“One thing that we have always communicated to the government, especially regarding Agenda 111, hitherto we tend to put up edifices, there are grand commissioning ceremonies and then we live them to rot.
“We think that this time around there should be a very strict regime when it comes to the culture of maintenance, both the infrastructure and the equipment that we are putting in place beyond the training.”
Yankson added: “So that these facilities won’t deteriorate without the requisite maintenance as and when they are required. But beyond all of these, I think these Agenda 111 is a good initiative and we must all support it.”
He, however, wants the government to demonstrate commitment towards making the project a viable one that can turn Ghana into a medical tourism hub.
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The project’s objectives Â
The main objective of the project as set out by President Akufo-Addo is to ensure that Ghanaians in every district and region of the country have access to quality health-care services.
The Agenda 111 project, together with the National Health Insurance Scheme, is expected to boost both provision of health-care infrastructure and the financial accessibility of health care, in line with the government’s commitment to ensure universal health care for all citizens and attainment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3).
On completion, the hospitals will fulfil the government’s health policy of a hospital in each district and region.
The process of making good on the deliverables will also create a model of accelerated construction for health facilities which can be developed for future health projects.
Scope of works
The Ministry of Health says the Agenda 111 project will cover the following deliverables: design, procurement, construction, equipping and commissioning of 101 district hospitals, six regional hospitals in the newly created regions (Bono, Bono East, North East, Oti, Savannah and Western North), as well as one new regional hospital in the Western Region, two psychiatric hospitals (Kumasi and Tamale) and redevelopment of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.
The Western Region will also benefit from rehabilitation of Effia Nkwanta Hospital.
All of the hospitals are expected to have a complement of staff accommodation for doctors, nurses and other health workers.
Fred Dzakpata
Asaase Radio 99.5 – tune in or log on to broadcasts online
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