The Weija Children’s Specialist Hospital is set to receive 40 additional health professionals as the government moves to strengthen staffing at the facility and expand its services as a national referral centre.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has directed the immediate deployment of 10 medical doctors and 30 nurses and midwives to the hospital.
The directive followed the Minister’s inspection of the 120-bed facility, which is now operational and providing outpatient and emergency services.
Mr Akandoh said the additional personnel were necessary to support the hospital as it expands into inpatient care and takes on its role as a stand-alone children’s referral centre.
“The hospital has about 120-bed capacity, and it’s now in operation. I came to see first-hand how the place is working, and so far, I am impressed with what I’ve seen,” he said.
“I have directed that with immediate effect, they should bring an additional 10 medical doctors and 30 nurses and midwives to beef up the health workforce,” he added.
The Minister said almost all the equipment required at the facility had been installed, allowing management to progressively expand the range of services available to patients.
He said the hospital was currently handling outpatient and emergency cases while preparations were underway to fully integrate inpatient services.
Mr Akandoh also urged management and staff to maintain the facility properly and ensure that children and their caregivers received respectful and dignified care.
“We have also impressed upon them to make sure they keep the facility well, maintain it and try to treat the patients with respect and dignity,” he said.
He said the Ministry would continue monitoring the hospital because of its importance to the country’s healthcare system and the specialised services it is expected to provide.
According to the Minister, the government’s immediate priority is to ensure that the facility becomes fully operational and delivers the purpose for which it was established.
“What Ghanaians wanted to see is that this facility is in full operation, and today we have it,” he said.
Mr Akandoh also disclosed that outstanding issues between the government and the contractor were being addressed.
He said resolving those matters was secondary to ensuring that the completed facility was put to use for the benefit of the public.
“As far as I’m concerned, the issues between government and the contractor are being resolved. What is important is that the facility is put to good use for the citizens, and that is what we are doing at the moment,” he said.
