President Mahama Inaugurates SODH
The President, John Dramani Mahama, has inaugurated the first District Hospital at Dodowa in the Shai Osudoku District in line with the policy document of bringing health care delivery to the doorstep of all Ghanaians.
The ultra-modern 120-bed hospital, funded by the government of the United Kingdom, through Barclays PLC, at the cost of US $ 175 dollars, is the first of the six district hospitals being built by government in some selected districts across the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Mahama said the initiative formed part of government’s agenda of building first class health facilities in every district to improve access to health care delivery across the country.
The President disclosed that work on District Hospitals in Formena and Kumawu, was expected to be completed by October, this year, while that of Abetifi and Garu Tempani would be ready by the first quarter of the year 2017.
He said Ghana was, currently, experiencing an annual population growth rate of about two per cent, translating to about half a million persons every year, which made it necessary for government to increase infrastructure to cater for rising demands.
The President said in addition to the provision of health facilities across the country, plans were also underway to increase the training of health personnel such as doctors, nurses and paramedics to man the facilities provided.
He disclosed that in the medium term, the Ministry of Health had been tasked to ensure that all health facilities contributed to bridging the equity gaps in geographical access to health services and intensified the control and prevention of non-communicable diseases.
In his remarks, the Minister for Health, Mr Alexander Segbefia, called on the management and staff of the Shai Osudoku District Hospital to provide excellent patient care, generate enough revenue to maintain the facility for the next thirty years and be innovative in their service provision and decision-making.
Mr Segbefia also urged management of the Hospital to be prudent in the use of resources generated and allocated to the hospital.
The Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, Mr kenndy Brightson, said he was elated by the completion and commissioning of the facility because it would serve as a great relief to the community.