The Parliamentary Select Committee on Health has recommended transforming the Upper West Regional Hospital into a teaching hospital to enhance the training of healthcare professionals in northern Ghana. This proposal aims to attract healthcare workers to the region while offering them the chance to further their studies locally and positively impact society.
Health Committee Chairperson Speaks on the Proposal
Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, the Health Committee Chairperson and Member of Parliament (MP) for Nabdam Constituency, made the recommendation during a sensitization visit to the Upper West Regional Hospital in Wa. He emphasized the importance of improving healthcare infrastructure and staff motivation to ensure long-term commitment to the region’s health services.
During his visit, Dr. Nawaane pointed out that the hospital meets the necessary criteria to become a teaching hospital. The hospital has nearly 300 beds and is equipped with all essential medical units, making it a suitable candidate for conversion. He also suggested that the hospital could serve as a teaching facility for the northern part of the country.
Addressing Staffing Shortages and Financial Constraints
One of the key challenges raised by Dr. Nawaane was the hospital’s staff deficit. He highlighted the importance of financial clearance for staff recruitment. Even if the financial clearance cannot cover all hospitals, Wa hospital should be prioritized, allowing staff to report to work here.
The committee chair also assured the hospital’s management that their concerns would be raised with the relevant authorities. These include the hospital’s lack of a pediatric ventilator and pediatric dialysis machine, which are crucial for providing specialized care to children.
Urgent Need for Critical Equipment
Mr. Patrick Boakye-Yiadom, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Health Committee, echoed Dr. Nawaane’s concerns. He emphasized the need for more critical equipment, particularly PCR machines, given the region’s vulnerability to meningitis outbreaks. The Upper West Regional Hospital currently only has one Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine, which he noted is insufficient for the region’s needs.
Mr. Boakye-Yiadom, who is also the MP for Obuasi East Constituency, said that additional PCR machines are needed to ensure timely and accurate diagnosis, especially in light of the meningitis risk. The committee plans to meet with the Ministry of Health to discuss the urgent need for these critical resources.
Hospital Management Praised for Efforts
Despite these challenges, the committee commended the hospital’s management and staff for their dedication to providing quality healthcare services. The hospital has generated over GHS¢33 million in internal revenue in 2024, a remarkable achievement considering the facility’s limited resources.
Dr. (Med) Matilda Awingura Akanzum, the Acting Medical Director of the Upper West Regional Hospital, noted that while the hospital had made progress, it still faced significant operational challenges. The hospital has not received its seed capital for operations, which impacts its ability to procure consumables. Additionally, the hospital is struggling with a shortage of human resources, limited transportation options, and the lack of a dedicated electricity line for uninterrupted power supply.
Committee to Advocate for Solutions
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Health pledged to continue supporting the Upper West Regional Hospital. They will advocate for solutions to address the hospital’s staffing issues and equipment needs, as well as the overall improvement of healthcare facilities in northern Ghana.
The proposal to convert the Upper West Regional Hospital into a teaching hospital is seen as a key step in strengthening the healthcare system in northern Ghana. It would not only improve the quality of healthcare services but also contribute to the professional development of healthcare workers, benefiting both the region and the country at large.
