Health Minister inaugurates modern paediatric ward

Mr Alex Segbefia, the Minister of Health, on Wednesday inaugurated an ultra-modern pediatric ward for the Presbyterian Hospital at Dormaa-Ahenkro in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

A recreational center is attached to the 40 capacity children’s ward, constructed by the Dormaa Municipal Assembly, at the cost of GH¢557,638.14 and furnished with nine incubators.

Mr Sebgefia emphasized that his Ministry has in the past four years demonstrated significant progress in helping to address the inequality in providing essential health services especially in the rural areas.

He expressed with regret that the industrial unrest of some health workers continued to obstruct efforts of the government in achieving the goal.

Mr Segbefia expressed concern about the increasing level of non-communicable diseases in the country, though the government had increase coverage of health infrastructure.

He said the Ministry would intensify prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, and indicated that the Ministry required effective partnership from mission and private hospitals.

Mr Segbefia said a collective approach was required from the church and the local government structures in providing quality healthcare delivery among the citizenry.

Dr Adomah Forkuo, the Head of the Paediatric Unit of the Presbyterian Hospital, said the unit was in dire need of a paediatric ambulance, ventilators, monitors and ultra sound machines and appealed to the public to support it.

She expressed regret that death in children less than five years was unacceptably high in the country, noting that inadequate hospital beds, equipment, and other medical devices at the hospital hindered efforts to meet the health needs of the sick children.

Mr Gordon Asubonteng, the Dormaa Municipal Chief Executive, said the Assembly intended to renovate the old paediatric ward at the hospital so that more sick children would be admitted for medical care.