Described as the largest state-of-the art hospital in West Africa, it has 20 departments equipped with advanced medical equipment and facilities to offer the best of health care delivery.

Being the first phase of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital project, the former Ridge Hospital now has 420 beds, multiple theatres, intensive care units, laboratories, diagnostic units, a 17-suite maternity unit, an oxygen generating plant and a digital system for medical data management that eradicates the use of paper for medical records.

It also has a mortuary, a 42-room staff hostel to accommodate utility staff for emergencies, a school for anaesthesia training, a catering department and cafeteria, administration block and two 5,600 KVA standby generators.

The second phase of the project is expected to commence soon and be completed within the next 24 months.

Inaugurating the facility, President Mahama, who was joined by former President Jerry John Rawlings for the event, said the project was indicative of his administration’s commitment to enhancing the quality of health care delivery across the country.

He said it was critical that Ghanaians were offered best health care, adding that the general health care system has witnessed significant transformation over the last four years.

“Ghanaians deserve nothing but the best,” he said.

The project, he said, was part of a nationwide programme to build modern health facilities in the regional and district capitals, and cited a number of completed and ongoing hospital projects across the country.

Dr. Thomas Anaba, Medical Director of the hospital, for his part, commended the government for the foresight and its commitment to the advancement of the health sector.

He described the project as a dream come true since the staff have waited long to operate in such a modern hospital environment.

He noted that various staffing and training plans were underway to ensure that the requisite health personnel were available to man the hospital.

We are committed to take measures and give off our best to position the hospital as a centre of excellence in Ghana and West Africa,” he said.

Dr. Anaba gave the assurance that an elaborate plan had been developed to ensure the effective maintenance of the facility, and assured the government that it would not regret the investment.

By Edmund Mingle