President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday inaugurated the Phase II of the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo said UGMC, which serves as the hub for local and international funded research projects, seeks to create an enabling environment for collaboration with industry and non-governmental organizations worldwide.
The Phase II of UGMC was made possible through a $217 million loan facility secured from the Israeli government.
The President said the 617-bed medical centre is a turnkey project whose construction commenced in April 2013 and was scheduled to be completed in March 2016 by the previous government.
He said his government had to navigate to ensure the successful completion of the UGMC project despite going beyond its planned schedule.
The President said it was pleasing that the country had a magnificent hospital with ultra-modern facilities for healthcare delivery and the first kind in Ghana and West Africa.
Phase II comprises 42 specialist and non-specialist clinics, the second biggest Cardiothoracic survey Centre in Ghana, Cardiac Cauterization Lab (Angiogram), MRI services, Dental Services and 8-unit apartments for critical staff.
It also includes the Biohazard waste treatment building, a waste dumpster shed, Oncology ward, Neurosurgery/Neurology ward/ICU, Assisted reproductive technology centre, private wards, Paediatric unit and advanced equipment for the MTS and other specialized units.
President Akufo-Akufo said the UGMC Medical and Scientific Research Centre is cutting-edge translational research that discovers new treatments, methods and procedures to improve the health status.
The CEO of UGM, Dr Darius Kofi Osei, said the 1000-bed Clinical Services Section of the centre is committed to the promotion of favourable health outcomes through innovative, customer-centred, cost-effective and high-quality processes.
The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman Manu, said the inauguration enforced the government’s commitments toward achieving sustainable development goals and universal health coverage as the country enters a critical phase of global health following COVID-19.
The Minister said the completion of the hospital would go a long way in solving complex medical problems that save lives and resources for the nation.
He said there was a long way to go in getting all the specialized facilities that the country deserved and that the government was determined to do its best to provide such medical facilities in the country.
Rex Mainoo Yeboah, ISD
