University of Ghana Medical Centre the best in Africa- Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama says the establishment of the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) with ultra-modern equipment will make the institution one of the best in Africa.
He said this at the inauguration of the first phase of the Centre yesterday in Accra.
The president in his address said the UGMC project marked another milestone by the country in its quest for quality healthcare service delivery and the completion of the project is a dream come true.
“This facility even before the second phase is added is the first of its kind in West Africa and second to very few hospitals in South Africa,” he said, adding “a part of the funding for the project was used for a comprehensive training of staff who are going to work in the centre.”
Construction of the facility started on March 12, 2011, with a sod-cutting ceremony by the then president, Professor John Evans Atta Mills to signify the re-location of the College of Health Sciences from Korle-bu to the Legon campus.
The Medical Centre is an ultra-modern 617 bed facility which will provide specialized services such as trauma and orthopaedics, cardiology, ear, nose and throat, dermatology, neurology, pain management and emergency services among others.
Apart from these, the facility has a medical training and simulation centre that will be used for research and training of professionals.
The centre will be supported financially in its first five years to enable it to stand on its feet.
The centre has a hotel and a helipad to help manage emergencies more efficiently.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro-Owusu in his address said “The coming on board of a new Medical Centre with the state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, and learning experiences as well as research is an invaluable facility”.
He also noted that about 71 medical personnel have received short-term training at Sheba Medical Centre in Israel in preparation for the commencement of operations of the hospital as part of the loan facility.
The Chairman of UGMC, Prof.Ernest Aryeetey thanked the president and all those who contributed in making the project successful for their support.
The facility was constructed by the University of Ghana through a loan acquired by the Government of Ghana from the Israeli Government.
By Pamela Ofori-Boateng
Copyright ©2017 by Creative Imaginations Publicity
All rights reserved. This news item, or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in reviews.