On Friday, October 18, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo officially opened a cutting-edge Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, marking a significant advancement in Ghana’s healthcare landscape.
This newly established facility will provide essential care for individuals with urological and kidney-related issues, offering advanced treatment options previously unavailable within the country.
The establishment of this Centre aims to decrease the need for Ghanaians to seek specialized care abroad and positions Ghana as a potential medical tourism hub in West Africa.
Constructed at a cost of €38 million, the Centre was financed through a loan from Raiffeisen Bank International AG of Austria, with insurance provided by the OeKB Group.
The facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology and a comprehensive range of services aimed at tackling the increasing prevalence of kidney disease and urological disorders across Ghana.
During the commissioning, President Akufo-Addo described the Centre’s opening as a “major milestone” in the nation’s healthcare journey, underscoring the government’s dedication to enhancing healthcare infrastructure. “This modern Centre will offer advanced care for both chronic and acute kidney conditions, as well as other urological ailments. It is also designed to provide life-saving procedures like kidney transplants, helping us move closer to our goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” the President said in his speech.
The Urology and Nephrology Centre is fully equipped to provide comprehensive healthcare services. It includes a 30-station dialysis unit for those with kidney disease, a 70-bed ward for patients with genitourinary issues, and an outpatient department. Additionally, the facility features diagnostic and treatment services, inpatient care, administrative offices, public amenities, and staff facilities.
The Centre is also equipped with research resources and has a three-year post-construction maintenance and training program in place to ensure smooth operations in the future.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the Centre’s potential to serve not only Ghanaians but also patients from neighboring countries, which he believes will create opportunities for medical tourism. “This facility will help put Ghana on the map as a destination for medical tourism, attracting patients from nearby countries and beyond. This will bring in additional revenue, ensuring the sustainability and growth of its services,” the President emphasized.
Healthcare has been a central focus of President Akufo-Addo’s administration, with the Urology and Nephrology Centre standing as a prime example of efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage for Ghanaians. During the event, he pointed to other strides made in healthcare infrastructure, including the recent commissioning of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital in August 2024.
By the end of 2024, the government anticipates completing various healthcare projects, including the construction of 11 district hospitals and a polyclinic in the Ashanti, Eastern, Greater Accra, and Ahafo regions. These projects fall under the government’s “Agenda 111” initiative, which aims to build district hospitals in areas without one and ensure that each regional capital has a fully functional regional hospital, particularly in newly created regions.
President Akufo-Addo also updated attendees on the progress of Agenda 111, noting that eight district hospitals were nearing completion and that the overall project was 69% complete as of September 2024. He expressed optimism that many of the facilities, some of which are more than 90% complete, would be finished before the year ends.
“These projects are evidence of our commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage and improving healthcare delivery nationwide,” the President said. “Our healthcare infrastructure will remain one of the defining achievements of my administration.”
In addition to expanding healthcare facilities, the government has been working on addressing the uneven distribution of healthcare personnel, particularly in underserved rural areas. President Akufo-Addo urged the Ministry of Health to speed up the finalization of a draft incentive package that would help ensure healthcare workers are deployed where they are needed most. This measure forms part of the government’s broader strategy to make healthcare more accessible and equitable across the country.
“We remain committed to addressing the disparities in healthcare worker distribution,” the President said. “I encourage the Ministry of Health to expedite the completion of the incentive package to ensure that healthcare staff are assigned to the areas that need them the most.”
Furthermore, the President emphasized the importance of maintaining the newly inaugurated Urology and Nephrology Centre to ensure its long-term effectiveness. He called on the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital’s management to implement a solid preventive maintenance plan for the facility. He also encouraged community members to hold healthcare managers accountable for the proper use and upkeep of the Centre.
“It’s crucial that we adopt a robust maintenance plan,” President Akufo-Addo stated. “I urge the management of the Urology and Nephrology Centre to establish a preventive maintenance strategy to keep this facility functioning at its best.”
He extended his appreciation to all the stakeholders involved in the project, including financiers, contractors, consultants, and healthcare professionals. Special thanks were also given to international partners, including Vamed Engineering and their Ghanaian technical consultants, for their exceptional contributions.
As Ghana continues its efforts to enhance healthcare services, the opening of this Urology and Nephrology Centre is a key milestone toward the country’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage. With this state-of-the-art facility, both Ghanaians and patients from neighboring nations will now have access to world-class care for kidney and urological diseases.
The government’s focus on sustainability, equitable healthcare worker distribution, and ongoing infrastructure projects, such as Agenda 111, reaffirms its long-term commitment to building a robust healthcare system for all.
President Akufo-Addo concluded his remarks by reaffirming his administration’s dedication to fulfilling its healthcare pledges. “The progress we’ve made in healthcare infrastructure is something this administration is incredibly proud of. We will continue working to ensure every Ghanaian has access to the high-quality healthcare they deserve,” he said.
Source: Daily Guide Network
