President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to upgrade the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, popularly known as Ridge Hospital, into a full teaching hospital as part of a broader agenda to improve healthcare delivery in the region.
Speaking during his Greater Accra ‘Thank You Tour’ at the Old Ghanata Astroturf in Dodowa on Friday, May 16, Mahama emphasised the importance of transforming healthcare outcomes across the Greater Accra Region, particularly in response to increasing demand and the need for advanced medical services.
“Under healthcare delivery in this region we will aim to transform the quality outcomes for our healthcare. We therefore intend to upgrade the Greater Accra Regional Hospital into a full teaching hospital. That is the Ridge Hospital,” Mahama said.
As part of this transformation, Mahama revealed that the long-awaited Phase Two of Ridge Hospital will be constructed to increase its capacity and support its expanded role as both a teaching facility and regional hospital.
He further disclosed that the upgraded hospital will be affiliated with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. This strategic partnership, he noted, will enhance specialist training within the region and help reduce the number of patient referrals to other regions or overseas.
“The Ridge Hospital will also have an affiliation to the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. This will enhance specialists trainings and reduce referrals outside the region,” he added.
In addition to Ridge Hospital’s upgrade, Mahama outlined plans to expand Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds in peri-urban communities such as Bortianor, Kpone, and Shai Osudoku. These efforts aim to strengthen access to primary healthcare services in underserved areas.
“Furthermore we will expand CHIPS compounds in per urban communities like Bortianor, Kpone, Shai Osudoku to ensure that primary healthcare is accessible and reliable,” Mahama stated.
He also pledged to improve the living and working conditions of healthcare workers stationed at CHPS compounds by ensuring all existing and newly built facilities include accommodation.
“For existing CHIPS compounds and all new CHIPS compounds we will build we are going to include accommodation for health workers who man the CHIPS compound,” he said.
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