Kasoa Polyclinic overwhelmed as lack of paediatric ward puts children at risk

The Kasoa Polyclinic in the Awutu Senya East Municipality continues to operate without a paediatric ward, even though children account for nearly half of all admissions.

Health officials have said that the situation compromises effective child healthcare and are calling for urgent intervention.

The facility, which serves a fast-growing population of more than 300,000 people, also receives patients from neighbouring districts including Awutu Senya West, Gomoa East and Ga South.

It is additionally a major referral point for motor accident victims in the enclave.

Despite the high demand for services, the Polyclinic has a total bed capacity of only 40, spread across male, female and maternity wards. With no dedicated paediatric ward, children who are admitted are forced to share space with adults—an arrangement health professionals describe as inappropriate and unsafe.

Health authorities say the lack of dedicated space undermines best practices in paediatric care.

The Awutu Senya East Municipal Director of Health Services, Dr. Stanley Yaidoo, stressed that the municipality’s rapidly expanding population has outgrown existing health infrastructure.

The two main public health facilities—Kasoa Polyclinic and the Mother and Child Hospital—together have fewer than 100 beds.

While the Polyclinic has no paediatric ward at all, the Mother and Child Hospital has just 10 beds for child admissions.

Traditional leaders in the area have also appealed to the government to intervene urgently to ensure safer and more effective healthcare for children.

To address some of these concerns, authorities have begun constructing a 30-bed paediatric unit at the Kasoa Polyclinic.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Awutu Senya East, Seth Sabah Serwonoo Banini, told Channel One News that several initiatives are underway to improve access to quality healthcare and to expand infrastructure to meet the municipality’s growing needs.