Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has directed the immediate deployment of 10 medical doctors and 30 nurses and midwives to the Weija Children’s Specialist Hospital, as part of efforts to strengthen the facility’s workforce following a firsthand inspection of its operations.
Speaking during a visit to the 120-bed facility in Weija Gbawe, the Minister said he had come to see for himself how the hospital was functioning and expressed satisfaction with progress made so far, noting that services had already begun at the facility.
Dr Akandoh disclosed that he had directed the additional medical personnel to be deployed to the hospital with immediate effect, in order to meet the workforce requirements needed to support its expanding services.
“With immediate effect, they should bring additional 10 medical doctors and 30 nurses and midwives to meet up the health workforce.”
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
He described the facility as a referral centre, noting that it is believed to be the first of its kind in the country as a standalone children’s referral hospital, a distinction he said underscores the importance of ensuring it is adequately staffed and resourced.
Beyond staffing, the Minister urged hospital management and staff to prioritise regular maintenance of the facility to prevent deterioration and avoid costly repairs in the future.
He also impressed upon staff the need to keep the facility well maintained and to treat patients with respect and dignity, stressing that government would continue to pay close attention to the hospital given its significance as a sensitive national facility.
Equipment In Place, Services Expanding
Dr Akandoh noted that almost all the equipment required for the hospital’s operations has been fully installed, allowing the facility to upgrade its range of services.
He said the hospital is currently handling inpatient care, outpatient department (OPD) services and emergency cases, reflecting a broader expansion beyond its initial scope of operations.
He explained that the visit was intended to allow him to confirm, on behalf of the public, that the facility is now in full operation, following considerable public interest in its progress.
“What Ghanaians wanted to see is that this facility is in full operation, and today we have it.”
Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
Addressing Questions on Contractor Payments
Responding to questions about whether outstanding payments had been made to the contractor responsible for constructing the facility, Dr Akandoh said that, as far as he was aware, the issues between government and the contractor were being resolved.
He stressed that the priority for government was ensuring the facility is put to good use for the benefit of citizens, rather than allowing contractual disputes to delay its operation.
He reiterated that whatever outstanding matters exist between government and the contractor remain under resolution, while the hospital continues to deliver services to patients in the interim.
The Weija Children’s Specialist Hospital’s status as a standalone paediatric referral centre positions it as a significant addition to Ghana’s health infrastructure, particularly for children requiring specialised care beyond what is typically available at general hospitals.
With a 120-bed capacity and a growing range of services, including inpatient, outpatient and emergency care, the facility is expected to ease pressure on other hospitals currently managing paediatric referrals.
Strengthening Health Workforce Nationwide
The deployment of additional doctors, nurses and midwives to the facility aligns with broader government efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country, including ongoing initiatives such as the free primary healthcare programme and investments in hospital infrastructure under various government health schemes.
As the newly deployed medical staff join the Weija Children’s Specialist Hospital, attention will likely turn to how quickly the facility can scale up its services to meet growing patient demand, and whether the outstanding issues between government and the contractor are resolved without further affecting the hospital’s operations.
The Minister’s visit signals continued government oversight of the facility as it transitions into full-scale operation as a national paediatric referral centre.
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