"Gov't is procuring GH¢1 Billion worth of equipment for referral hospitals" – Health Minister

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has disclosed that government is undertaking a massive nationwide drive to equip health facilities, including the procurement of at least GH¢1 billion worth of medical equipment for referral hospitals.

According to the Minister, the initiative forms part of a deliberate strategy to strengthen healthcare delivery across all levels of the country's health system, from primary healthcare facilities to district, regional and teaching hospitals.

Speaking on a Volta Region-based radio station on Friday, Mr. Akandoh stressed that quality healthcare goes beyond the construction of health infrastructure and must be supported by adequate equipment and skilled personnel.

"Health facilities are not just about the brick and mortar. It is about the infrastructure, the equipment and the personnel. We are taking deliberate steps to equip all our health facilities across the country," he stated.

The Minister revealed that government has already begun procuring equipment for primary healthcare facilities, with available stock currently capable of serving more than 70 percent of the 150 selected districts earmarked under the programme.

"As we speak, equipment is arriving in the country almost every day. We are also procuring additional supplies to ensure that our primary healthcare facilities are fully equipped," he said.

Mr. Akandoh noted that some of the equipment being distributed, including X-ray machines, incubators and patient monitors, will also benefit selected district hospitals.

He explained that government has developed separate equipment procurement strategies for district hospitals, regional hospitals and teaching hospitals to ensure that each level of care receives the appropriate resources.

"We are also procuring a minimum of one billion Ghana cedis worth of equipment for our referral hospitals. There is a deliberate effort to reach every level of the healthcare system," he emphasized.

The Health Minister further indicated that significant progress is expected before the end of the year, citing the recent delivery of anaesthesia machines to some health facilities.

He linked the equipment acquisition programme to government's broader healthcare agenda, particularly the Mahama Care initiative, which seeks to improve the management of non-communicable diseases.

"If we say we are investing in Mahama Care and supporting patients with non-communicable diseases, then the health facilities must have the required equipment to diagnose and treat them. That is why we are investing heavily in equipment for our regional and teaching hospitals," he said.

Mr. Akandoh expressed confidence that by the close of the year, substantial improvements would be seen in the availability of medical equipment across the country's healthcare facilities, enhancing access to quality healthcare services for Ghanaians.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith