By Isaac Arkoh
Elmina (C/R), Oct. 8, GNA – The government has upgraded the Elmina Polyclinic in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality into a fully-fledged Government Hospital, marking a major milestone in healthcare delivery in the area.
Established in 1974 by Colonel Banasco, then Central Regional Commissioner under the National Redemption Council (NRC) regime led by General I. K. Acheampong, the 51-year-old facility has evolved steadily over the decades.
With a staff strength of 215 and a 72-bed capacity, the facility had functioned as an Urban Health Centre until 2019, when it was elevated to a Polyclinic through sustained collaboration with key stakeholders.
Strategically located along the Cape Coast–Takoradi highway, the facility serves not only the people of Elmina and surrounding communities but also residents from Cape Coast, parts of the Western Region, and travelers along the Trans-ECOWAS Highway linking Ghana to other West African countries.
At a ceremony on Tuesday to mark the transition, Dr. John Asare Dadzie Mensah, Medical Superintendent of the new Elmina Government Hospital, reaffirmed management’s commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered care with a motivated workforce and user-friendly facilities.
He said the hospital now offers a wide range of services, including outpatient and inpatient care, 24-hour pharmaceutical services, maternal and mental health care, laboratory and diagnostic services with ultrasound, and specialised clinics for dental, ENT, and sickle cell care.
Dr. Mensah noted that since the commissioning of a state-of-the-art surgical theatre in September 2024, the hospital’s surgical team had successfully performed more than 600 operations without any fatalities. These included obstetric emergencies, hernia repairs, laparotomies, tumor removals, and neonatal intensive care procedures.
Despite these gains, he highlighted challenges of inadequate space for both clinical and administrative functions.
“Only the maternity and emergency blocks have been added since 1974,” he said. “Specialised clinics now operate in cramped 12-by-12-foot spaces, limiting efficiency and compromising patient confidentiality.”
Dr. Alberta Adjeibey Biritwum-Nyarko, Central Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), and Dr. Martin Sumani Danko, KEEA Municipal Health Director, described the upgrade as a call to higher responsibility.
They pledged close collaboration with the hospital’s management to provide comprehensive, quality, and accessible healthcare while prioritising resource mobilisation and staff capacity building.
They expressed a shared vision to position Elmina Government Hospital as a center of excellence delivering timely, efficient, and compassionate care.
Recognising that staff motivation drives performance, they assured their commitment to working with local government and partners to foster a supportive and rewarding work environment.
“The hospital’s image depends on the dedication and attitude of our nurses, doctors, laboratory scientists, pharmacists, administrators, and support staff,” they emphasised.
Meanwhile, Nana Kodwo Condua VI, Omanhen of the Edina Traditional Area, commended the government for elevating the facility but warned against continued encroachment on hospital lands.
He cautioned that individuals who refuse to vacate would be forcibly removed, stressing that such activities obstruct hospital operations and compromise public health.
“Unauthorized occupation reduces space needed for essential medical services and infrastructure,” Nana Condua said. “All encroachers must respect the hospital’s property and cooperate with authorities to ensure smooth healthcare delivery.”
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Audrey Dekalu