The President of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence for use at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
The historic event, which brings to five Centres of Excellence at the Hospital, marks a major step in Ghana’s healthcare system.
The new Centre is set to provide critical but affordable urological and nephrological care to patients who suffer from these conditions.
The opening of the facility is expected to also reduce the need for patients to travel abroad for specialized care, while positioning Ghana as a hub for medical tourism in the West African sub-region.
Speaking as the special guest of honour at the commissioning of the €38 million Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence, the President noted that the new facility will provide advanced treatments for patients with chronic and acute kidney failures, as well as other urological conditions.
President Akufo-Addo said the Centre is also positioned to offer life-saving services such as kidney transplants, which fulfils the nations quest to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Ag. CEO Korle Bu, Dr. Frank Owusu-Sekyere
He revealed that the 101-bed Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence is equipped to deliver comprehensive healthcare services. He added that this includes a 30-suite dialysis station for patients with kidney disorders, a 70-bed unit for genito-urinary patients, an outpatient department, and comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services. The facility also has inpatient care services, administrative and management offices, public amenities, and staff facilities.
Prof. J.E Mensah, Head of Surgery, Korle Bu
“In addition, it features medical and non-medical support services, a research facility, and a three-year post-construction maintenance and training programme to ensure the facility’s smooth operation in the years ahead,” the President said.
President Akufo-Addo described the commissioning of the Centre as a “considerable milestone” in Ghana’s healthcare journey, one that exemplifies the government’s unwavering commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure.”
He therefore urged authorities and personnel who will be using the facility to guard to all maintenance policies to ensure its longevity.
Healthcare to become accessible and affordable to all Ghanaians – Minister of Health
The Minister of Health, Honourable Bernard Okoe Boye was also grateful to Government and the Hospital for their resilience in bringing the facility to fruition.
He pointed out that one of a key ingredient for heading for the centre is the ability to maintain and keep it in an acceptable working order. He said this was going to be one of the pillars in the performance contract of the head of the centre.
He said his Ministry will continue to champion such projects to ensure healthcare becomes accessible and affordable to all Ghanaians under Government’s Agenda 111 facility.
Dr. David Nkansa-Dwamena, Board Chairman, Korle Bu
He revealed that facilities such as the Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence will be replicated in other parts of the country, if the one in Korle Bu becomes successful.
Dr Okoe Boye, therefore, urged authorities of the Hospital and personnel at the Centre to work hard to ensure the utmost utilisation of the Centre.
He thanked the contractors, Vamed, for the beautiful edifice and for stepping in to ensure completion when there were financial challenges.
Replace Lifts and Roll-out 100% Medicare Coverage for Staff – Board Chairman
The Board Chairman of the Hospital, Dr David Nkansa-Dwamena, commended government for the construction of the centre.
He, however, appealed for the resumption of work on the 13-storey Women’s Hospital.
He directed the Acting CEO and his team to take steps to replace the faulty lifts with new ones and equally tasked them to roll-out the 100% medicare coverage for staff.
Korle Bu to train more Urologists and other healthcare Professionals – Ag CEO
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital, Dr. Frank Owusu-Sekyere, his profound appreciation to government for constructing the Centre.
He noted that a lot of Ghanaians and even those within the sub-region will benefit from the Centre’s infrastructure and highly skilled personnel, adding that complex cases can now be attended to and patients will not need to travel abroad for care.
In the area of training, he noted that the modern equipment, combined with the expertise of personnel will ensure that more Urologists and nephrologists would be trained in complex and innovative ways to attend to patient needs.
He thanked government, the Ministry of Health and Vamed for their individual and collective support and assured that the facility will be well maintained to serve generations yet unborn.
No patient will be turned away – Head of Surgery
In an address, the head of the Department of Surgery and a Specialist Urologist, Professor J.E. Mensah assured the President and patients that the new facility will provide affordable care to all patients with genito-urinary and kidney-related conditions.
“This facility will attend to all patients. It will not send anybody away on account of money or equipment. My staff and I are ready to see to any patient who walks into this facility”, he said.
He paid tribute to some three Urologists who died in a fatal accident on their way back from an outreach in Sunyani. He noted that the facility is a legacy to their work and untimely demise.
He noted that the facility with its requisite equipment and infrastructure will enhance training of future Urologists, which is currently inadequate to attend to the needs of the country.
He thanked government for their support in completing the facility and was hopeful that the collaboration will continue for the benefit of Ghanaians, especially the less privileged in society.
The Chief Executive Officer of Vamed, Dr. Martin Treml, said his company was happy to have worked with government of Ghana and the Ministry to build the facility because they were aware of the impact it would have on patients.
He said the facility had been designed and adapted to local conditions to provide a balance between clinical and therapeutic needs.
He was hopeful the facility will be well maintained to fulfil its purpose.
The construction of the Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence was made possible through a credit facility provided by Raiffeisen Bank International AG of Austria, with insurance cover from OeKB Group.
The facility boasts of cutting-edge technology and a wide range of services aimed at addressing the growing burden of kidney diseases and urological disorders in the Ghana.
Source: Ameyawdebrah
Have a press release, feature, article for publication? Send it to us via Whatsapp on +233543452542.
