The Minister of Health, Mr. Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, has averred that for a nation to be healthy it requires healthy people.
According to the Health Minister, government being mindful of this fact has shown its deepest concern by implementing Agenda 111 program which seeks to build 111 hospitals.
During his speech at the Agenda 111 sod cutting ceremony in the Ashanti Region, he stated that, “the surest way to improve health care is through providing new infrastructure or improving just existing ones across the length and breadth of the country”.
Mr. Agyemang-Manu described the commencement of government’s Agenda 111 project as a dream come true for Ghana. He also characterized the program as delivery being taking to another higher level.
Speaking with certainty, he revealed that the establishment of these hospitals will reduce the long-distance citizens have to travel in pursuit of health care facilities. And as such, government is committed towards the establishment of 111 hospitals with the requisite equipment and services to absorb the escalating health care needs of its citizens.
Agenda 111 to mitigate health problems
The Health Minister further indicated that the Agenda 111 program will partake in the attempt to mitigate health outcomes together with achieving the preferred improvement in the population’s health.
Aside Agenda111, Mr. Kwaku Agyemang-Manu uncovered that, the Ministry of Health under his regime has made substantial advancement in the construction and renovation of hospitals, to tackle the infrastructure gap in respect of the health sector.
He announced that the establishment of district hospitals and one polyclinic have been finalized in various regions specifically: Eastern, Ashanti, Volta, Central and Northern Regions. The Health Minister further indicated that, there are ongoing developments of other hospitals. Works are expected to be completed in November, 2021.
Aside that, Mr. Agyemang Manu named other developments that have similarly witnessed sod cutting but have not been completed yet. As a result, he assured the President that it will be concluded before his tenure elapses.
In addition to the Agenda 111 project, the Health Minister revealed that there are ongoing construction of hospitals in 12 new locations in the country.
Moreover, at the community level, construction of 41 Community Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds in selected communities have been completed, the health minister disclosed.
According to Mr. Agyemang-Manu, “from the foregoing, it is obvious that government’s commitment to achieving the [Sustainable Development Goals] SDG’s and universal health coverage cannot be downplayed. Bringing primary health care services to the door steps of communities and individuals remains on the agenda of the government and this I promise, will be delivered without fail”.
The Health Minister also urged all partners included in this agenda to work with perseverance and great care.
Treatment Centers ongoing.
Mr Kwaku Agyemang Manu updated the audience present at the sod cutting ceremony on recent developments of covid-19. He stated that, covid-19 treatment centers have been established and are in use, at 37 Military Hospital, Pantang and Dodowa. He also indicated that, there are ongoing construction of treatment centers in Kumasi, Volta, Greater Accra, Upper East and Western North Regions. Other sites are Sunyani, Cape Coast, Takoradi and Nalerigu. Mr. Agyemang revealed that, these ongoing projects are backed financially therefore, he expects completion in sooner time.
The Health Minister advised all citizens to comply with all covid-19 protocols basically: wearing of mask, washing of hands and social distancing.
He also urged the natives of the districts in which the hospitals are to be constructed to exercise much support toward all personnel that will be indulged in the project.
