The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has indicated that the Finance Ministry will accelerate the implementation of the Agenda 111 Project comprising 101 district hospitals, seven regional hospitals and three psychiatric hospitals.
Presenting the 2022 budget before Parliament, he stated that cadastral plans for 91 district hospital sites are ready to ensure the fast implementation of the project and expected to be completed by end 2023.
Touching on other health infrastructural projects the Ministry wants to undertake,;he averred that in 2022, the Ministry will commence the construction of eleven 40-bed and one 30-bed hospitals in the Ashanti,;Bono, Greater Accra and Eastern Regions.
A reconstruction exercise according to the minister will also take place at;the Tema General Hospital and the Central Medical Stores and continue the construction of the La,;Nkoranza and Shama hospitals.
The Ministry will also construct a 400-bed Obstetrics and Gynaecology Block as well as a Urology and Nephrology Centre at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Also
“Furthermore, the Ministry will construct three new Trauma, Accident and Emergency Centres at Anyinam, Dormaa and Obuasi Hospitals. Additionally,;the Ministry will construct a Maternity Block at Enyiresi Hospital. Mr. Speaker, the following COVID-19 treatment centres will be completed in 2022: Adaklu; Aflao; Asawinso; Cape Coast; Dodowa; Elubo, Goaso; Keta, KorleBu; Kumasi South; Nalerigu; Pantang; Sewua; Sunyani; Takoradi; and Zebilla”.
Ken Ofori-Atta
Ambulance services secretariats created in new regions
Touting government’s achievement in the health sector, Mr. Ofori-Atta indicated the Ministry established six Ambulance Service Secretariats in the newly created regions adding that in 2022, the Ministry will procure 100 more ambulances to augment the existing fleet.
The Electronic Health Medical Records System (LIGHTWAVE), which was also started at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, he disclosed was deployed to all teaching and regional hospitals and 60 other health facilities across the country and will in 2022 be expanded to all district hospitals and other targeted health facilities. Also,
“Mr. Speaker, the Ministry completed the comprehensive treatment and quarantine facility at Dodowa and constructed a polyclinic at Bamboi and four district hospitals at Buipe, Sawla, Somanya and Tolon. In addition, the Ministry constructed seven CHPS compounds at Akaaso, Akaasu, Akyem Mampong, Ahankrasu, Koforidua (Near Offinso), Samproso and Tiawia”.
Ken Ofori-Atta
Steps underway to facilitate local vaccine production
Touching on the local vaccine production, the finance minister stated that government is taking steps to facilitate the local production of vaccines.
A draft National Vaccine Policy, he said, is being finalized with the establishment of a National Vaccine Institute to coordinate production of vaccines.
Aligned with the President’s vision, three local pharmaceutical firms have already expressed interest. Government intends to support interested firms to secure partners to fill-in technological and capacity gaps as well as provide support towards securing licenses. Also
According to Ken Ofori-Atta, all these initiatives when completed will not only position the nation to meet its vaccine needs but also supply neighboring countries with vaccines. Also
“Together with the already advancing Pharmaceutical Hub programme under the CARES, Government is permanently addressing possible risks to future disruptions and joining the supply chain for the sub-region”.
Ken Ofori-Atta
