The Ministry of Health has strongly refuted claims made by former Minister of Finance, Dr Amin Adams, regarding the status of three hospitals under the Agenda 111 project.
According to the Ministry, Dr Adams, in a publication on page 11 of the Ghanaian Times dated Tuesday, 4th March 2025, alleged that the hospitals in Trede, Kokoben, and Ahanta were successfully completed, equipped, and commissioned before the previous government left office.
He also stated that a dedicated funding source of $1.3 billion had been secured to complete the remaining hospitals under the project.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, March 5, the Ministry of Health urged the public to disregard Dr Adams’ assertions.
The Ministry further outlined the findings from a visit conducted by the Minister for Health on 3rd March 2025 to the hospitals in Trede, Kokoben, and Ahanta, which revealed significant shortcomings in the facilities.
The visit uncovered that key hospital infrastructure, including medical gas systems, imaging and lab equipment, mortuary facilities, solid waste management, and specialized medical equipment such as ophthalmology, dental, and ENT equipment, were missing.
The Ministry also clarified several key points:
- The previous government allocated $400 million to the Agenda 111 project, but no hospitals under the initiative are currently operational.
- The estimated cost to complete the Agenda 111 project now stands at $1.589 billion.
- Despite the commissioning of the Trede, Kokoben, and Ahanta hospitals by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the facilities are still under construction, with a completion rate of 95%.
- No medical equipment has been installed in these hospitals, and laboratory facilities are still being constructed.
- These hospitals have not yet been handed over to the Ghana Health Service for operation.
- The estimated cost to make each of these hospitals fully operational is $8.03 million.
The Ministry stressed that while the hospitals were officially commissioned, their lack of key infrastructure and equipment means they are not ready to serve the public effectively.
In conclusion, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to completing the Agenda 111 project and making the hospitals operational, stating that it will continue to work diligently towards improving healthcare delivery across the country.
Source: myjoyonline.com