President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will procure 100 new ambulances to strengthen Ghana’s emergency healthcare system and improve the operations of the National Ambulance Service.
The President also disclosed plans to repair and return another 100 broken-down ambulances to active service through the procurement of essential spare parts.
Speaking at the 68th Annual National General Conference of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), held at Miotso near Prampram in the Greater Accra Region, President Mahama said the initiative forms part of efforts to improve emergency medical response and ensure patients receive timely healthcare.
“We will therefore purchase 100 new ambulances and procure the parts required to bring another 100 ambulances back into service,” he stated.
The week-long conference was held under the theme: “The No Bed Syndrome: Reimagining a Befitting Emergency Response System for Ghana.”
Government Expands Access to Specialised Healthcare
President Mahama emphasised that improving access to specialised medical treatment must go hand in hand with investments in healthcare infrastructure, medical equipment and skilled personnel.
He explained that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund had begun supporting patients suffering from selected critical illnesses, starting with cancer treatment.
According to him, the government is also investing in specialised medical training and modern healthcare facilities to strengthen Ghana’s capacity to provide advanced treatment locally.
The President cited the recently commissioned cardiac catheterisation laboratory at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital as an important addition to the country’s specialised healthcare infrastructure.
He further disclosed that new cardiology centres were under construction at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Tamale Teaching Hospital to expand access to advanced heart treatment.
Mahama expressed concern over the loss of a medical doctor due to the absence of an accessible catheterisation laboratory, stressing the government’s determination to establish three such facilities to improve cardiac care.
Ghana Preparing for Organ Transplant Services
The President also announced that Ghana was laying the groundwork for the introduction and expansion of organ transplantation services.
He said work was ongoing on an organ transplantation framework, including legislation to regulate the practice and ensure that procedures are conducted safely and ethically.
The proposed framework will address important issues such as donor consent, donor protection, professional supervision and long-term patient care.
President Mahama said the government would work closely with the Ghana Medical Association and medical specialists to develop the necessary policies and regulatory structures.
Komfo Anokye Maternity and Children’s Block to Resume
On healthcare infrastructure development, the President disclosed that work would soon resume on the stalled 509-bed maternity and children’s block at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.
The project was delayed following Ghana’s debt default and subsequent debt restructuring, but the contractor is expected to return to the site shortly.
He also announced that construction had commenced on a new 400-bed maternity and children’s block at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
President Mahama expressed concern about the deteriorating condition of the existing maternity and children’s facility at Korle Bu, saying the government was eager to complete the new building to provide a safer environment for mothers and children.
He noted that the timely completion of the project was particularly important given the condition of the current facility.
Sewua Regional Hospital to Ease Pressure on Komfo Anokye
The President further highlighted progress towards making the Ashanti Regional Hospital at Sewua fully operational.
He said road construction works leading to the hospital had been completed, electricity had been connected, while work was ongoing to extend a water pipeline to the facility.
Once operational, the Sewua Regional Hospital is expected to reduce congestion and ease the growing pressure on Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, which serves patients from across the Ashanti Region and neighbouring areas.
GH¢200 Million Allocated for Police Hospital Expansion
President Mahama also revealed that the government had earmarked GH¢200 million in the 2027 Budget to complete the long-delayed Police Hospital expansion project.
The expansion is expected to increase the hospital’s capacity to 300 beds, improving its ability to provide medical services.
He added that the new 100-bed Tamale Police Hospital would be opened soon, while the 160-bed La General Hospital was expected to be completed in 2027.
Additionally, construction work on the Afari Military Hospital in the Ashanti Region is expected to resume next year.
Government Targets Completion of 35 Agenda 111 Hospitals
The President disclosed that the government was preparing 35 projects under the Agenda 111 hospital programme for completion.
He explained that the selected hospitals had reached at least 70 per cent completion, making them priorities for renewed construction efforts.
According to him, the government intends to re-award the contracts to contractors capable of completing the projects and ensuring that the facilities become operational.
He identified challenges involving existing contractual arrangements as a major obstacle to the completion of the hospitals.
President Mahama said the Attorney-General’s Department was reviewing the contracts to address the outstanding issues and create the conditions necessary for construction work to resume.
The planned completion of the 35 Agenda 111 hospitals, alongside the procurement of new ambulances and expansion of major teaching hospitals, forms part of the government’s broader efforts to improve healthcare delivery, strengthen emergency medical services and expand access to quality healthcare across Ghana.
Source: newsthemegh.com