By Alex Ababio
Healthcare delivery in the Ashanti Region has received a significant boost with the commissioning of the 250-bed Ashanti Regional Hospital in Sewua by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The hospital, which includes a 50-bed Infectious Disease Centre, is located in the Bosomtwe District and now ranks as the third largest healthcare facility in the region, following the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the Afari Military Hospital.
“This hospital is a game-changer for the Ashanti Region,” President Akufo-Addo remarked during the ceremony. “It will alleviate the burden on Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and enhance access to quality healthcare for the people.”
The state-of-the-art hospital boasts an array of modern facilities, including an administrative block, outpatient department, physiotherapy unit, gynecology wards, an intensive care unit, maternity and delivery suites, a theater complex, laboratory, pharmacy, and a medical gas plant. Supporting infrastructure such as a laundry unit and sterilization facilities have also been installed to ensure efficient operations.
Infectious Disease Centre Strengthens National Health Infrastructure
The 50-bed Infectious Disease Centre, commissioned alongside the main hospital, is part of a national initiative launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen Ghana’s capacity to manage infectious diseases. Funded as one of 12 similar centers nationwide, it complements the region’s healthcare resources. President Akufo-Addo also inaugurated a comparable facility at the Kumasi South Hospital in Chirapatre.
Addressing the audience, the President emphasized the need for meticulous upkeep. “I urge all stakeholders—staff, chiefs, and residents alike—to ensure that this facility and its equipment are well-maintained for the benefit of future generations,” he stated.
Bridging Healthcare Gaps
Deputy Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Nsuta-Kwaman-Beposo, Hon. Adelaide Ntim, expressed hope that the hospital would significantly bridge healthcare gaps in the region. “These facilities are vital in addressing the pressing healthcare needs of our people and ensuring equitable access to medical services,” she noted.
Part of the Euroget Project
The Ashanti Regional Hospital is one of nine facilities under the Euroget project, an initiative launched in 2008 during the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor. Of these, seven hospitals have been completed under President Akufo-Addo’s tenure. The completed projects include the 500-bed Afari Military Hospital, the 160-bed Wa Regional Hospital, the 100-bed Ga East Municipal Hospital, and five 60-bed district hospitals in Tepa, Konongo, Twifo Praso, and Madina.
The commissioning of the Sewua hospital is another milestone in Ghana’s pursuit of universal healthcare. “This is not just an investment in infrastructure but in the health and well-being of our citizens,” President Akufo-Addo concluded.