Correspondence from the Eastern Region

The Okere District Hospital in the Eastern Region has officially launched activities to mark its first anniversary, highlighting a year of progress, challenges, and renewed commitment to delivering quality healthcare in the district.

The ceremony, held at the hospital premises, brought together traditional leaders, government officials, health professionals, and community members to reflect on the facility’s journey since its inauguration on December 5, 2024.

Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. Frank Dzifa Kpesenu, in a keynote address themed “From Foundation to Flourishing: Our First Year of Compassion,” recounted the institution’s humble beginnings and the determination that has driven its growth.

He disclosed that his initial reassignment from the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital to the newly established facility in Adukrom was met with reluctance, but later embraced as an opportunity to build a healthcare system grounded in quality and innovation.

“I realised I was being given the rare opportunity to influence the culture of a brand-new facility from its very first breath,” he said.

Dr. Kpesenu noted that although the hospital faced early operational delays due to technical challenges, management used the period to study best practices from established institutions and implement systems to ensure efficiency.

He described the hospital’s first year as a “marathon of firsts,” citing key milestones including its first outpatient attendance, admission, delivery, surgical procedures, outreach programmes, and staff development initiatives.

“Each milestone represents a life touched or a system strengthened. These are the building blocks of the legacy we are creating,” he stated.

Despite the achievements, he acknowledged gaps in service delivery and called for stronger collaboration with stakeholders to address them.

“We are far from our envisioned future, but we are committed to growth. We believe healthcare must go beyond the consulting room and involve the community,” he added.

Member of Parliament for Okere Constituency, Daniel Kenneth Nana Addo, commended the progress made within a short period, noting that the hospital has significantly improved access to healthcare in the district.

He attributed the establishment of the facility to the previous NPP government’s agenda to ensure equitable distribution of healthcare infrastructure across all districts.

“In the beginning, there was only one doctor and a few nurses. Today, the hospital has two specialist doctors, physician assistants, and about 70 staff. Though more are needed, the impact is clear,” he said.

The MP, however, identified inadequate staff accommodation as a major challenge affecting recruitment and retention of health professionals.

“As a Member of Parliament, I will continue to engage stakeholders to provide decent accommodation for staff. We also appeal to individuals to support with affordable housing to motivate our health workers,” he added.

Acting District Director of Health Services, Emily Amponsah, described the establishment of the hospital as a critical intervention that has improved the district’s healthcare delivery and referral system.

She explained that prior to the facility’s establishment, patients had to travel long distances to access advanced medical care.

“This hospital has filled a major gap. It has improved emergency response and reduced the burden on referral facilities outside the district,” she said.

However, she stressed that inadequate staffing remains a significant challenge, affecting service delivery and putting pressure on the few available health workers.

“When one doctor goes on leave, it creates a huge gap. The workload is overwhelming, and this can affect quality of care,” she noted, appealing to government to prioritise the hospital in future recruitment.

Amponsah commended staff for their dedication, noting that many have taken on multiple roles to keep the facility running.

The anniversary launch featured a series of activities including a ceremonial cake-cutting led by traditional leaders.

The event ended with a call for sustained partnerships to strengthen the hospital’s capacity as it enters its second year, with management reaffirming its commitment to delivering compassionate and inclusive healthcare to the people of Okere.