The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has charged the Ministry of Health to complete ongoing health infrastructure projects in the country and operationalize them.
According to the Otumfuo, although many projects are yet to be completed, government is cutting sod for new ones.
He has advised that government tackles the project one after the other, and make sure they are completed to expand access to quality healthcare in the country.
The Asantehene particularly highlighted on the Agenda 111 projects which the government has touched on many without completing any of them for usage.
During a courtesy call to the Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, to the Otumfuo at the Manhyia Palace as part of his three-day tour to health facilities in the Ashanti Region, the Asantehene reminded the Minister of the KNUST Teaching Hospital that has been abandoned by successive governments over the years.
“The Agenda 111 would have helped after the Covid. You have done some and some are in progress but do what you can finish and take your hands off it. Now I have seen some improvement in availability of funds so discuss with the Finance Minister and complete all the project that are work-in-progress. The abandoned KNUST hospital should also be completed,” Otumfuo stated.
‘This is an insult to Otumfuo’ – Captain Smart blasts authorities over KNUST Teaching Hospital
Dr Okoe-Boye, on his part, gave an assurance to the Asantehene of his Ministry’s resolve to bridge the health infrastructure gap in the country for quality healthcare delivery by completing all health projects.
The Minister, as part of his tour inspected progress of work on the 500-bed capacity Maternity and Children block at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
The project, which was expected to be completed in May 2023 has suffered delays owing to financial constraints.
The contractors have, however, given an indication that, it would be completed and handed over in 2025.
Dr Okoe Boye refuted claims that government has sidelined the Ashanti Region in the provision of health infrastructure.
He toured a 40-bed capacity hospital project at Suame which is expected to be operational by the end of September 2024.
With additional files from Ibrahim Abubakar|AkomaFM
