Goaso Municipal Hospital appeals for improvement in infrastructure, equipment, and human resources

The management of Goaso Municipal Hospital (GMH) in the Ahafo Region has made an urgent appeal. They want the government to improve the hospital's infrastructure, equipment, and staffing. This is necessary for delivering quality healthcare.

Dr. Joseph Ankomah, the Medical Superintendent, spoke during a visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health. He noted that since GMH became a hospital in 1987, it has seen little improvement. Meanwhile, both inpatient and outpatient attendance have continuously increased.

Originally, GMH was established as a dispensary in the early 1950s. It was located at the education office before moving to its current site in 1962. The hospital was upgraded to municipal status in 1987.

The facility includes nine wards and a 10-bed Accident and Emergency Unit. It provides general outpatient and inpatient services, surgeries, and specialized clinics like ENT and physiotherapy.

Dr. Ankomah informed the committee about several issues facing the hospital. The Lightwave health information system often breaks down due to inadequate staff accommodation. There is also a shortage of office space and critical personnel such as doctors and radiographers.

He explained that aging infrastructure leads to high maintenance costs. Dr. Ankomah called for a new hospital to address these challenges. The facility also struggles with untarred internal roads that become dusty or muddy depending on the season.

Additionally, the only anaesthesia machine, X-ray machine, and vehicle are currently out of service. Dr. Ankomah urged the government to prioritize road construction within the hospital grounds.

He suggested introducing incentive packages to attract staff and building accommodations for caregivers of admitted patients.

After touring GMH, Dr. Sebastian Sandaare, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, echoed these concerns. He appealed to Minister of Health Kwabena Minta Akandoh for urgent improvements in infrastructure and staffing.

Dr. Sandaare assured hospital management that they would submit a full report to the government for immediate action. As a medical practitioner himself, he emphasized the need for posting critical healthcare personnel quickly along with new staff accommodations.