Ghana's ambitious healthcare initiative, known as Agenda 111, which aims to construct 111 health facilities across the country, is making significant progress.
Agenda 111, part of the grand vision for Ghana’s healthcare sector by the Akufo-Addo administration, the realization of which will ensure that 101 outstanding districts will be provided with hospitals, 6 Regional Hospitals for the newly created regions, 1 Regional Hospital in the Western Region, 2 Psychiatric Hospitals in Kumasi and Tamale as well as 1 National Psychiatric Hospital in Accra is making remarkable strides with 88 of them at different levels of completion.
During a press briefing on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in Trede where the President first cut sod for the commencement of the project, Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Nsiah Asare and the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, provided updates on the status of the project.
They announced that 88 out of the intended 111 projects are currently underway and progressing as planned.
Dr. Nsiah Asare highlighted the meticulous planning and management of the project. He said the initiative was subdivided into eight zones, each with an average of 14 sites. At each site, a dedicated team of consultants, including architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, and biomedical engineers, are ensuring the smooth execution of the construction process.
He said this is to ensure the government delivers quality health infrastructure that will serve the health needs of Ghanaians for generations to come.
"We are committed to delivering high-quality healthcare facilities that meet the needs of every Ghanaian. The subdivision into zones and the appointment of specialized consultants for each site demonstrate our determination to achieve this goal," stated Dr. Nsiah Asare.
He stated that several facilities, including a district hospital and polyclinics in the Western Region, are nearing completion with the expansion and equipping of selected facilities under the much-touted agenda also slated for completion likely by the end of this year.
He said the hospitals being constructed under the Agenda 111 programme will offer a range of facilities, including state-of-the-art surgical theatres for maternity, obstetrics and gynaecology, male, female, pediatric, and isolation wards, among others. Further, accommodation will be provided for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare personnel within the hospital premises.
Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah who took his turn to provide further updates on the ongoing construction works expressed satisfaction with the progress made thus far. He emphasized the government's dedication to improving healthcare infrastructure nationwide.
He indicated that the government is well on track to fulfil its promise of expanding and enhancing the healthcare sector in Ghana.
"The remarkable progress of the Agenda 111 project is a testament to our commitment to bridge the health inequality gap and strengthen the health system in Ghana. We are steadfast in our resolve to provide high-quality healthcare services to all Ghanaians," Minister Oppong Nkrumah affirmed.
He said the government considers Agenda 111 as the most significant investment in healthcare infrastructure in the country since independence and will not relent in the provision of these hospitals.
This, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah called on the local beneficiary communities to lend their unwavering support to the projects as government accelerates efforts to roll out the health infrastructure development programme across the country.
He said this will ensure the seamless integration, effective utilization, and optimal functionality of the hospitals when completed.