Work on €32 million 100-bed district hospital for Shama takes off

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has cut the sod for the construction of a 100-bed district hospital at Shama, in the Western Region.

According to President Akufo-Addo, “Today’s event is yet another important milestone of the government’s commitment to guarantee access to health-care facilities for all Ghanaians, no matter where they live, and to improve their health and well-being.”

“Once completed, the facility will contribute to addressing the persistent challenges of high maternal and child health morbidity and mortality in our country,” the president said. “It will also accelerate our progress towards the achievement of the SDGs through enhanced access to quality maternal and child health services.”

Cutting the sod on Wednesday 19 August 2020 for commencement of construction, he said that the government has secured €32 million from Standard Chartered Bank, with a credit guarantee from Sinosure China, and insurance cover of €1,960,812.28 for the project.

Comprehensive care

This 100-bed hospital, which will also comprise 16 accommodation units for hospital workers, will be constructed by Poly Changda, which has extensive experience in China as well as in other parts of Africa in building health-care facilities.

Upon completion, the two-storey, 100-bed Shama District Hospital will have the following components: an accident and emergency unit; outpatient department with consulting rooms, physiotherapy unit and adjunct facilities for dental, ophthalmology and ear, nose and throat treatments; inpatient wards for male, female and paediatric admissions; a maternity ward with a well-designed neonatal intensive-care unit (NICU); plus three theatres to cater for general cases, obstetrics and emergencies.

The hospital will also be fitted with a theatre with a six-bed intensive-care unit and a recovery ward; a pharmacy and laboratory with the requisite equipment for effective diagnosis and analysis; diagnostic services which will include a CT scan; a public health department with the necessary logistics for health education and lifestyle improvement; a hospital administration unit; a kitchen, laundry, central sterile services department, maintenance and logistics building; a mortuary; offices for the district director and the health management team; meeting rooms; a library; storerooms; and public health spaces.

Greater things to come

President Akufo-Addo, in his remarks, noted that the project components include two-year post-warranty maintenance; training in medical equipment and new technologies introduced; provision of seed capital to provide a six-month stock of hospital consumables; provision of a utility truck and an ambulance for hospital operations; and provision of ICT facilities to include the relevant software towards achieving paper-light records management.

He urged all partners with a stake in building the project to work assiduously, and ensure that the project is delivered on time and on budget.

“Nananom, I am delighted and honoured by your presence here, and I assure all of you that this project is a sign of greater things to come for Shama and, indeed, for the whole nation. The government’s commitment to the total development of Ghana is absolute,” he said.

He added: “Hopefully, with four more for Nana, I expect that all of us gathered here will be present again, God willing, for the commissioning of this project once it is completed.”

Click on the link below to watch President Akufo-Addo address the people of Shama.

Wilberforce Asare / Asaase Radio

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