Ridge Hospital expansion begins

stethoscopeThe Ministry of Health and its Partners have commenced a major rehabilitation and upgrading works to transform the Ridge Hospital in Accra into a Regional Hospital.

The construction works to be carried out by Messrs Bouygues Bartiment International, a United States of America (USA) Construction company, with Government of Ghana mixed credit facility of $250 million from Exim Bank and the HSBC Banks, both of the United States of America.

The expansion is expected to provide the Hospital with ultra-modern facilities and a 420-bed capacity to improve quality and expand access to health care delivery, particularly to its immediate catchment area.

Ms Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Health, in an address said the Ministry would be the executing agency of the project and would immediately commission a National Project Committee to oversee the planning and review process to ensure the efficient completion of the project.

According to her the construction period is 48 months starting from October 2013.

The work has been designed to contain components, such as the Civil, mechanical and electrical works for covering a comprehensive Diagnostic and Treatment block to ensure a 24- hour surgical service.

She mentioned other components of the facility as an Imaging Department, Delivery Unit, Accident and Emergency Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Emergency ICU as well as a Burns Unit.

Ms Ayittey said the facility would also have an Administration block as well as Medical and Logistic Support services, including a Pharmacy, Laboratory and a central Sterilisation Unit, a Kitchen, Laundry, workshop, Central Stores, Technical Rooms, a Crèche, Changing Rooms and Staff housing for critical staff of the hospital.

The Minister said when the Hospital is completed; it is expected to be one of the best in the country to provide complementary health care as well as training for all calibre of Medical professionals and Paramedics.

She indicated that the strategic objectives of the hospital were in line with those of the MOH’s Sector Medium Term Development Plan 2010-2013, which include bridging the equity gaps in access to health and nutrition services and ensure sustainable financing arrangements that protect the poor.

It would also improve access to maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health services, intensify the prevention and control of communicable diseases, improve institutional care, including mental health service delivery and promote healthy lifestyles among Ghanaians.

Ms Ayittey commended the Directors and staff of the Hospital for their selfless devotion to work and urged them to remain committed in the provision of quality and efficient health care to their clients.

Dr Emmanuel Obeng Apori, Medical Director, Ridge Regional Hospital, expressed joy for the realisation of a long-awaited dream and thanked the financiers of the project as well as all Health Partners for supporting the dream of achieving a comprehensive health care for Ghanaians.

He said the hospital currently receives referrals from other hospitals and clinics within the Greater Accra Region and beyond and sometimes also from the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital.

Mr Gene A. Cretz, US Ambassador to Ghana, said the project was critical to the development of the country’s health system and that the US has been one of Ghana’s strongest partners in developing the health system.

He, however, expressed the US Government’s commitment towards the improvement of Ghana’s health care system.

Source: GNA

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