The Western Region, home to over 2 million people, faces a critical healthcare gap: the absence of an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Patients requiring critical care are often referred to distant facilities, such as the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, resulting in avoidable loss of life.
To bridge this gap, Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson has launched a GH₵3 million project to establish the region’s first ICU.
The Intensive Care Unit, ICU, is a vital part of the healthcare system, providing specialized care and equipment for critically ill patients.
It often makes the difference between life and death, reduces the need for risky referrals, and ensures hospitals can respond swiftly to emergencies and accidents.
However, for the over 2 million residents of the Western Region, their only access to this specialized care is in Cape Coast in the Central Region or even further on in Accra when Cape Coast is unable to provide.
This is a major worry to many as it comes with other exigencies that some who are unable to afford die in process. Western Regional minister, Joseph Nelson has launched a 3-million-cedi project to intervene in this situation with a personal pledge of a GH¢100,000.
“This initiative is crucial, not just for me, but for everyone. We’re all potential patients, and you never know when you’ll need these facilities. Upon taking office and learning about the ICU gap, I felt compelled to act.
Self-help projects are nothing new in our country; communities have come together to build hospitals, clinics, and community centers. Given the need, I believe it’s unfortunate to wait solely on government intervention. That’s why I took the initiative to establish an ICU center in the region,” he said.
To enable broad-based participation in funding the vital health infrastructure, some donation platforms have been created.
Mr Joseph Nelson disclosed that those willing to contribute can send their donations via Stanbic Bank’s account number 9040013625004 or MTN MoMo number 0556709065 all with the account name Takoradi Hospital ICU project.
Medical Superintendent of the Takoradi Hospital, where the facility will be located, Dr. George Peprah, is optimistic it will significantly increase survival rate for critically ill patients.
“Patients needing ICU care often have to be flown to Accra, as the nearest hospital in Cape Coast frequently has no available beds. Consequently, critically ill patients requiring ventilation or close monitoring are managed on general wards, which is suboptimal. Unfortunately, this often results in loss of life. Without access to ICU, patients may not receive the necessary respiratory support or close monitoring, leading to poor outcomes.” He stated.
The appeal is now open to corporate Ghana and benevolent individuals to support. All 14 MMDCEs in the region have also pledged GH¢10,000 each towards the project.
