As it marks 80 years of unwavering service to communities in the Eastern Region, St. Martin de Porres Catholic Hospital is making a compelling case for government reclassification—arguing that its current designation as a Primary Level C facility no longer reflects the scope and complexity of healthcare it provides.
At the official launch of its 80th anniversary celebrations, hospital leadership unveiled new infrastructure projects that signal a strategic shift toward more advanced care delivery. These include a 350-seater conference hall, a dedicated mental health unit, an oxygen plant, and a CT scan building, among others—investments that hospital management says are long overdue for formal recognition in national health policy planning.
Hospital Manager and Administrator, Mr. Emmanuel Bosompim, made a strong appeal to the Ministry of Health to reassess the hospital’s status, citing the range of specialist services it now offers, along with rising patient volumes. “Our outpatient attendance increased from 88,583 in 2023 to 96,155 in 2024, and we’ve recorded nearly 50,000 visits already this year,” he noted. “We are operating well above our classification.”
The hospital’s expanded services include CT scanning, dental, ENT, homecare, and free NHIS registration for thousands—functionalities that go beyond the scope typically expected of a Primary Level C institution.
Despite these advances, Mr. Bosompim said the hospital continues to face challenges commonly associated with under-recognized facilities: shortages of critical health personnel, delays in staff mechanisation onto the public payroll, inadequate staff housing, and severe land constraints that limit physical expansion.
He stressed that reclassification would not only reflect operational realities but also attract the level of support, investment, and resource allocation needed to sustain its growing role in the national health system.
Call for Policy Action Amid Systemic Gaps
The call for reclassification comes amid broader national conversations about healthcare equity, decentralization, and the need for adaptable infrastructure. As regional hospitals like St. Martin de Porres take on more responsibility—often stepping in where larger facilities fall short—experts say policy must evolve to match their contributions.
At the anniversary event, Most Rev. Joseph Kwaku Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua, echoed this sentiment, praising staff resilience and urging creative solutions to land shortages, such as vertical expansion. He also challenged health workers to stay committed despite inconsistent government backing.
Dr. James Avoka, Municipal Health Director and chair of the event, described the hospital as “primus inter pares”—first among equals—citing public confidence reflected in rising admissions and referrals.
Government, Community Urged to Strengthen Support
Representing the Ministry of Health, Nene Ofei Tagbaja, Paramount Chief of Manya Krobo Traditional Area and Head of Public Relations at the Ministry, acknowledged the growing role of community health providers and stressed the need for government–community collaboration. He revealed that the Ministry is working to procure dialysis machines across the country—a move that could benefit facilities like St. Martin de Porres, which are already laying groundwork for more complex care services.
Mr. George A. Agyei, Director of the Catholic Health Trust, commended the hospital’s resilience and strategic investments, positioning it as a strong candidate for progression to secondary or even tertiary-level care in the future.
Building the Future on a Mission of Service
Founded 80 years ago by Catholic missionaries, St. Martin de Porres has grown from a small mission clinic into a trusted regional facility serving nearly 100,000 patients annually. The year-long anniversary celebrations will include community outreach, mentorship retreats, health screenings, inter-departmental games, and blood donation drives.
At the heart of the celebration lies a vision not just of legacy, but of transformation—one that depends heavily on government recognition, policy responsiveness, and sustained investment in mission-driven healthcare institutions.
