A team of officials from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service has visited Effia Nkwanta Hospital for a reconnaissance to fully appreciate requirements for a redevelopment of the Hospital for possible upgrade into a befitting Teaching Hospital. The team led by the Director of Health Administrators and Support Services (HASS) of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Ebo Hammond, and comprised of representatives of the contractors of the project, Amandi Investments Limited, the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service, were officially welcomed by the Medical Director of Effia Nkwanta Hospital, Dr. Joseph Tambil, and other members of the Hospital management team at the Conference Room of the Nurses Training College (NTC).
The visit is the first step of activities towards the redevelopment of Effia Nkwanta Hospital following acceptance by the Ministry of Health of the financial terms offered by Amandi Investment Limited, a private developer for the project on a Turnkey basis. In his opening address, the Director of HASS, indicated that the Ministry is interested in a consultative approach that invites inputs from the Hospital as well as the community for the design of the project.
In a presentation at the conference, the Medical Director of Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Dr. Joseph Kojo Tambil, highlighted current challenges and constraints that make Effia Nkwanta Hospital unfriendly to clients. He identified the undulating topography and other aspects of the hospital setting that are a challenge for sick clients navigating through the Hospital and a discouragement for many prospective clients. He also noted the absence of key specialized services that, when introduced, could help attract more clients.
Dr Tambil proposed the establishment of a Polyclinic, a reconstruction of all buildings with asbestos roofing and a refurbishment of others. He also proposed a relocation of the morgue, the setting up of special units such as an Oncology Center, a Burns Center, an ICU and HDU, a new surgical block among others. Dr. Tambil also suggested to the contractor to consider adopting an earlier existing comprehensive plan for a Child Health Department for Effia Nkwanta in the redevelopment project.
The Functional Planning Officer at the Ministry of Health, Mr Francis Vanderpuye observed that the team would collate more information on the facility. He challenged management of Effia Nkwanta Hospital to fashion their proposals for the redevelopment in anticipation of the future role of Effia Nkwanta. After the conference the team toured parts of the facility.
An elaborate scope of the project is yet to be firmed up. After the tour, the officials suggested that a functional Committee led by the Medical Director is set up to present a report to enable the team from the Ministry of Health put together the plan and scope of the work.
The representative of Amandi Investments Limited hinted that the project is expected to commence in six to nine months’ time.
