The Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Kofi Ofosu Nkansah has announced the completion of a major milestone in the government’s ambitious Agenda 111 project.
In a statement, Ofosu Nkansah confirmed that 66 additional district hospitals will be ready by the end of 2024, marking a significant leap forward in improving healthcare infrastructure in Ghana.
“Tomorrow, 1st October, Medical Engineers will start the installation of equipment at the first batch of 33 Agenda 111 hospitals across the country. Mpohor, Kadjebi, Ningo Prampram, Nsabaa, Awutu Bereku, Lower Denkyira and 27 others consist of the first batch. Installation will be completed in 6-8 weeks!!”.
Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, CEO of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme
The National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme’s Chief Executive Officer further revealed that a second set of 33 district hospitals will commence equipment installations by mid-November, with the process expected to take another 6 to 8 weeks.
He noted that by the end of December 2024, these additional hospitals will also be ready to serve communities across the country.
The former New Patriotic Party Parliamentary Candidate in the Asante Akyem Central constituency in the Ashanti Region emphasized that in addition to the 66 hospitals to be delivered by the end of the year, a further 35 district hospitals, 7 regional hospitals, and 3 psychiatric hospitals will be completed by 2025.
“The completion of the Agenda 111 hospitals is a major achievement for the government and a crucial step towards improving healthcare delivery in Ghana,” he noted.
Impact on Employment and Healthcare Workforce
One of the most transformative aspects of the Agenda 111 project according to Ofosu Nkansah is its potential to address healthcare employment challenges.
Ofosu Nkansah highlighted that the new hospitals under Agenda 111 are expected to create a significant number of jobs for healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and administrative staff.
He highlighted that these new hospitals will create opportunities for 60,000 doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
This large-scale recruitment drive, he argued will help resolve the issue of unplaced nurses, many of whom have been awaiting job placements in recent years.
“Once fully operational, these hospitals will employ approximately 60,000 personnel, including medical and administrative staff. This will go a long way toward addressing the backlog of unemployed nurses in the country”.
Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, CEO of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme
Complementary Projects Enhancing Healthcare
In addition to the construction of hospitals, Ofosu Nkansah pointed to several other key achievements in Ghana’s health sector under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
These, he noted include a modern fleet of 300 ambulances distributed across the country, enhancing emergency healthcare services and the procurement of the world’s largest medical drone delivery service, ensuring the efficient transportation of medical supplies, particularly to remote areas.
He also touted the centralization of medical records, aimed at streamlining healthcare delivery and improving patient care across Ghana and the provision of free dialysis services for citizens under 18 and over 60, with subsidized costs for others.
Additionally, Ofosu Nkanasah mentioned that the ultra-modern Urology Unit at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) stands as one of the flagship projects already delivered under the current administration.
In conclusion, Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, the ruling New Patriotic Party’s Communicator, expressed confidence in the government’s healthcare achievements, describing them as unprecedented.
“This Nana Addo and Bawumia Government has achieved the most in the history of Ghana when it comes to the health sector“, he stressed,
He emphasized that the Agenda 111 hospitals, coupled with other groundbreaking initiatives, will leave a lasting legacy in Ghana’s healthcare sector.
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