Category: Health

Health workers at the New Takoradi Health Center in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly are threatening to suspend night services due to repeated theft attempts at the facility.

The latest incident occurred around 4:00 p.m. yesterday when unknown individuals attempted to break into the center by damaging its windows.

Assembly Member for the Lower New Takoradi Electoral Area, Gilbert Saiw Afriyie, expressed disappointment over the frequent break-in attempts.

While urging health workers to reconsider their decision, he assured them that local authorities are working to strengthen security at the facility.

Mr. Afriyie also called on the government to repair the damaged facility, highlighting the risk of wild animals entering the health center.

He stressed the importance of the center, noting that it provides critical healthcare services, including emergency care, laboratory testing, and pharmacy services, to residents of Sekondi-Takoradi.

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has expressed profound gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for his leadership in uncapping the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), a move expected to improve healthcare accessibility in Ghana.

During the budget presentation by the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, in Parliament on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, he announced the uncapping of the NHIF saying: ” Mr. Speaker, we have uncapped the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL).

An amount of GH¢9.93 billion has been programmed for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for: claim payments; ii essential medicines; iii vaccines payments; the Free Primary Healthcare; the Ghana Medical Care Trust (MahamaCares); and bridging of the USAID financing shortfall.”

In a statement dated March 11, 2025, NHIA CEO Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, described the decision as a landmark policy fulfillment, aligning with the government’s commitment to ensuring sustainable and accessible healthcare for all Ghanaians.

The uncapping of the NHIF means more funds will be available to enhance healthcare services, expand coverage, and improve efficiency within the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

This move also fulfills a key campaign promise and demonstrates the administration’s dedication to healthcare reform.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has assured that the government will take immediate action to clear the salary arrears of more than 300 pharmacists who have gone unpaid since their recruitment.

Addressing Parliament during the presentation of the 2025 Budget on March 11, Dr. Forson acknowledged the financial hardship faced by the affected pharmacists and pledged swift intervention.

He noted that the issue was first brought to his attention during a pre-budget engagement with young people on social media.

“During my interaction with the youth, it emerged that 321 pharmacists employed since June 2023 have yet to receive their salaries. We will act promptly to resolve this matter,” he assured.

Dr. Forson reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing salary concerns within the health sector, recognizing that many workers continue to face delays in receiving their wages.

He stressed that timely payments are crucial for maintaining morale and efficiency in the healthcare system.

Reflecting on his engagement with the youth, Dr. Forson described it as insightful and emphasized the need to incorporate their perspectives into policymaking.

“This conversation reinforced my belief that young people’s voices are essential in shaping policies that directly and indirectly impact their lives and future,” he stated.

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has stated that the government currently lacks the financial resources to complete the stalled Agenda 111 hospital projects, a flagship initiative of the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

His comments have sparked fresh concerns over the future of the ambitious project, which was launched to enhance healthcare accessibility, particularly in underserved regions.

Akandoh attributed the funding shortfall to what he described as the failure of the NPP administration to allocate financial resources for the completion of the hospitals before leaving office.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, March 10, he lamented the initiative’s stalled progress and reiterated that the government does not have the necessary funds to continue work on the uncompleted facilities.

“When John Dramani Mahama was leaving office and there were some ongoing health projects, we left money behind. Once you are leaving behind the uncompleted project, you leave money for the completion. We don’t have a Pesewa as I speak to you now to finish these projects because there was no reliable and dedicated sources of funding.”

Agenda 111, launched in August 2021 under the NPP government, was designed to construct 111 hospitals across Ghana, including 101 district hospitals, six regional hospitals, two psychiatric hospitals, and the redevelopment of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.

The initiative aimed to bridge gaps in healthcare delivery, particularly in districts without hospitals, and strengthen the country’s healthcare system.

Despite its ambitious scope, the project has faced significant delays due to financial constraints, land acquisition issues, and logistical challenges.

Initial projections estimated that each hospital would cost approximately $17 million, with an expected completion timeline of 18 months. However, nearly three years later, many of the projects remain incomplete or have barely progressed beyond the foundational stages.

The Ministry of Health says the three Agenda 111 hospitals the New Patriotic Party Minority claims to be completed is 95 per cent complete.

The NPP had said that the Trede, Kokoben, and Ahanta hospitals were fully completed and operational.

But the Ministry in a statement on Tuesday March 4 clarified that the projects remain unfinished, noting that $8.03m was required to complete each.

According to the Ministry, no medical equipment has been installed in the hospitals, and some laboratory facilities are still under construction.

Furthermore, these hospitals have not yet been handed over to the Ghana Health Service for operation, highlighting the gap between the commissioning ceremony and the actual readiness of the facilities.

This expenditure required is expected to cover the installation of necessary medical equipment and the completion of remaining construction work.

“Although Trede, Kokoben, and Ahanta hospitals were commissioned by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the project is still under construction with an overall completion rate of 95%.

No medical equipment has been installed, and some laboratory facilities are still under construction. The hospitals have not been handed over to the Ghana Health Service for operation. The estimated cost to make Trede, Kokoben and Ahantan facilities operational is $8.03 million each.”

The Ministry of Health has categorically refuted claims by former Minister of Finance, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, that three hospitals under the Agenda 111 project were successfully completed, equipped, and commissioned before the previous government left office.

Dr Adam at a Press Conference on Monday said that three Agenda 111 hospitals had been completed and that a dedicated funding source of $1.3 billion had been secured to complete all remaining Agenda 111 hospital projects.

The Health Ministry in a statement dated Tuesday March 4, 2025 urged the general public to disregard these claims.

It said that on 3rd March 2025, the Minister for Health visited Trede in the Atwima Kwanwoma Municipality and Kokoben in the Oforikrom Municipality of the Ashanti Region to assess the current state of the Agenda 111 hospitals.

During the visit, it was discovered that essential medical systems and equipment, such as medical gas systems, imaging equipment, mortuary equipment, and more, were missing.

The Ministry highlighted the following key points:
1. The previous government spent $400 million on the Agenda 111 project.
2. None of the 111 district hospitals committed to construction is currently operational.
3. The estimated cost to complete the project now stands at $1.589 billion.
4. Although the Trede, Kokoben, and Ahanta hospitals were commissioned by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the project is still under construction with an overall completion rate of 95%.
5. No medical equipment has been installed, and some laboratory facilities are still under construction.
6. The hospitals have not been handed over to the Ghana Health Service for operation.
7. The estimated cost to make the Trede, Kokoben, and Ahanta facilities operational is $8.03 million each.

The Ministry therefore said that “Per the above stated facts, the Ministry emphasizes that the assertion by the former Finance Minister, Hon. Dr. Amin Adams, that these hospitals were completed and equipped before commissioning, is inaccurate and a calculated attempt to mislead the general public.”

“The Ministry remains committed to ensuring the timely completion and full operationalization of the agenda 111 hospitals to improve healthcare delivery across the country. We appreciate the patience and support of the general public as we work towards achieving this goal.”

Dr Frank Owusu Sekyere, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), has issued a stern warning against the theft of critical medical equipment at the facility.
He said the hospital had been grappling with incidents where thieves cut and steal copper pipes that supplied oxygen to patients in the various wards.
Dr Sekyere revealed this during a media tour and inspection of ongoing construction works at the hospital on Monday.

He said the act was a “life-threatening phenomenon” that undermined healthcare delivery in the hospital.
“…People cut part of the copper pipes, so imagine a patient is on oxygen, and all of a sudden it stops because somebody has gone to cut it,” Dr Sekyere said.
He noted that hospital authorities apprehended some individuals attempting to steal cables from the facility premises over the weekend, saying; “The case has been reported to the Korle-Bu Police Station for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Acting CEO expressed concern over the financial burden these thefts placed on the hospital’s resources.

“The current replacement of stolen copper pipes is costing the institution approximately GH?400,000, even though perpetrators might sell these materials for as little as GH?50 as scrap,” Dr Sekyere said.
He noted that hospital authorities apprehended some individuals attempting to steal cables from the facility premises over the weekend, saying; “The case has been reported to the Korle-Bu Police Station for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Acting CEO expressed concern over the financial burden these thefts placed on the hospital’s resources.

“The current replacement of stolen copper pipes is costing the institution approximately GH?400,000, even though perpetrators might sell these materials for as little as GH?50 as scrap,” Dr Sekyere said.
“It is ridiculously expensive trying to fix these copper pipes. Somebody takes a chunk of it for scrap, and we are paying through our noses just to have that one fixed.”
He said management had intensified surveillance measures and was in the advanced stages of procuring the services of private security to complement the institution’s internal security personnel.
The facility has also installed CCTV cameras, although the Acting CEO acknowledged limitations in current monitoring capabilities.
“We have had to resort to CCTV, but these are not monitored in real-time. So, if something happens, you probably may have an idea as to who might have done it. But then the harm has been caused already,” he added.
In his caution to the public, particularly scrap dealers, the Acting CEO appealed for vigilance and reporting of suspicious persons attempting to sell hospital equipment.

He emphasized the potentially devastating impact of such thefts on patient care.
Dr Sekyere noted that despite the challenges Korle-Bu had an oxygen plant with the needed capacity to serve patients.
“Oxygen, of course, may have its own challenges every now and then but with the services and the maintenance of it, we should be able to put to rest the issue of oxygen,” he added.
The team toured the renovation site of the Maternity Block, Ward E, the Orthopedic Ward (Ward H), the Oxygen Plant, and the KBTH perimeter Wall under construction to enhance security.

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has disclosed that the outstanding debt for the Atwima Kwanwoma Municipal Hospital in Trede, Ashanti Region, exceeds 100 million Ghana cedis.

The hospital, part of the Agenda 111 initiative launched by the previous NPP government, was commissioned on December 5, 2024. However, the facility remains incomplete and is still a construction site.

During a visit to the hospital on March 3, Akandoh revealed that none of the three hospitals commissioned by the previous government under the Agenda 111 projects have been operationalised. “The place is still a construction site, as you have all witnessed, yet to be completed. This is one of the facilities that was commissioned.

“President John Dramani Mahama has instructed me to inspect all the agenda 111 projects and give him a blueprint as to how we can put them into good use. I’m informed that the outstanding debt, if you like commitment as we speak, is over GHC100 million. Not all equipment has been delivered and installed. The facility has not been operationalized. There’s no action plan to recruit workers, health professionals to start work here.”

President John Dramani Mahama has assured that the Sewua Hospital will be completed by the end of the year.

He emphasised that several projects initiated under his previous administration had stalled under the recently outgone administration, but he is committed to seeing them through to completion.

Speaking to the clergy in Kumasi on Sunday, President Mahama said “I’ve assured Otumfuo that we’ll complete the Sewua hospital this year. The completion would allow us to decongest Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital so that important rehabilitation works can continue there.”

He also noted that he has spoken to the managers of Euroget De-Invest S.A, the contractors, who have assured him that they will resume work in earnest at the Afari military hospital to ensure its speedy completion.

President Mahama highlighted other projects, such as the Suame Interchange and various road works, which were commenced without dedicated funding.

He acknowledged the need to find sources of funding to expedite these projects and ease the conditions and inconveniences faced by the residents of Kumasi.

“We are looking for sources of funding to speed up the work on this project so that we can ease the condition and inconvenience that the residents of Kumasi face,” he said.

He also addressed the stalled Kejetia Market phase II project, which was affected by the debt exchange.

Now that official negotiations with the creditor committee have concluded, President Mahama expressed optimism about resuming bilateral discussions with lenders to restart work on the project.

“Now that we have finished the official negotiations with the official creditor committee, it opens the way for us to have bilateral discussions with the lenders in order that they can resume work on Kumasi Market phase 2,” he added.

The Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi has received 15 Blood Carriers from Zeal Environmental Technologies to facilitate the hospital’s collection and storage of blood to aid total health delivery. Speaking to Citi News after receiving the blood carriers from Zeal, the Head of Administration at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Michael Danso thanked Zeal for the quick respond to such critical supplies request. He said the hospital requires the use of blood carriers to increase its blood collection and storage. “We thank you for the Zeal with which you responded to our request and we assure you that we will use it with equal amount of Zeal to ensure that blood collection is more efficient and better stored to improve the services that we render to our patients,” he said.

The administrator while explaining why the hospital takes some processing fee for blood, however appealed to more institutions to come to the aid of the blood bank to reduce the high cost of collecting blood and charge for processing fee. “Blood as we say is free but because of the cost of collecting it, we sometimes have to ask patients to pay something small for the processing. Although blood is supposed to be free, we spend a lot of money to collecting it, so we always want to reach out to corporate bodies to help us in collecting the blood, especially the incentives we give to people when we are collecting the blood. The more support we have in getting the blood, the less we ask patients to pay something for the blood. So we call on all who can help like Zeal helping us today.” he added. Abdul Samad Ganiyu, who is the General Manager of Zeal Environmental Technology stating the rationale for their support to the blood bank noted that Zeal, which is a waste management institution cares about both the environment and quality healthcare delivery. “In addition to making the environment clean and safe for all as our core mandate as an environmental waste management company, we make sure that human healthcare is also enhanced. That is why when we received this request, it was a great opportunity for us to also contribute to human healthcare within the Western Region. We want to assure that this will not be the last,” he said.

In line with it’s mandate of ensuring a clean and safe environment, the Zeal Environmental Technologies team also donated a waste scape to Shama District Assembly to help with solid waste collection for the prevention of the spread of diseases in the Shama District. Speaking after receiving one of the biggest waste scape in the Shama District, the District Coordinating Director of Shama, Richard Blevi, praised Zeal for leading by example by not just managing waste but encouraging and supporting the public to manage waste.

“you have been a good corporate party and this your gesture is more appreciated and timely. If we go to our beaches now, the sanitation situation is not the best there and an Assembly it has been a source of concern to us. That is why we are happy that you have responded to our call to support the community. Already we have one container also donated by you serving the people We will add this one to it and you can count on us that it will be put to a good use.

“So some time to come, you can come to see a cleaner environment and a Shama community that is taking their hygiene seriously, therefore on behalf of the assembly, I thank you and hope Zeal will continue to be a good partner to the assembly,“ he said. In addition, Zeal Environmental Technologies which is situated at Nyankrom in the Shama District, as part of their corporate social responsibility visited the Nyankrom CHPS Compound which was recently built but lack several logistics and without light to operate. Although the Zeal team visited the Nyankrom CHPS Compound to appreciate their challenges for future support, the team also donated to them Blood pressure monitor and thermometer to aid their operations. Paulina Yaa Dankwah, the Midwife InCharge of the Nyankrom CHPS Compound commended the Zeal team for their support and hoped for more help.