The St Martin De Porres Catholic Hospital at Agomanya in the Eastern Region has launched its year-long 80th anniversary celebrations with the commissioning of landmark projects that mark a new chapter in its healthcare journey.

The launch, held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, brought together health professionals, traditional rulers, political leaders, clergy, and community stakeholders to honour the hospital’s legacy and chart its future.

The celebrations began with the commissioning of a 350-seater conference hall, a mental health unit, a modern stores and offices complex, and expanded administrative facilities.

According to management, these investments are designed to enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency, and respond to emerging health challenges.

Hospital Manager and Administrator, Emmanuel Bosompim, in his address, described the event as “a moment of immense joy and thanksgiving,” emphasizing the hospital’s commitment to “providing quality healthcare services to all clients within and beyond Kroboland, while progressing toward secondary-level facility status.”

Eight Decades of Service
Founded 80 years ago under the vision of the late Bishop Joseph Oliver Bowers, who acquired land from the Manya Krobo Traditional Council, St. Martin De Porres began as a modest clinic and has grown into the largest healthcare facility in the Krobo area. Over the decades, the hospital has embodied its Catholic mission of compassionate care, blending spiritual and medical service.

The anniversary theme, “Honouring the Past, Strengthening the Present, Shaping the Future and Advancing Healthcare Excellence,” reflects this journey of growth and aspiration.

“These new projects, including a mentorship and research programme, symbolize our resolve to nurture innovation and prepare future healthcare leaders,” the Hospital Administrator said.

Achievements and Growth

Despite economic and staffing challenges, the hospital has recorded remarkable growth.

Outpatient department (OPD) attendance rose from 88,583 in 2023 to 96,155 in 2024, with half-year 2025 figures already surpassing 49,800—putting the facility on course to meet its 100,000 target.

The eye department alone recorded 4,981 patients in 2024 compared to 2,895 in 2023, while newly introduced services such as CT scan, dental care, and ENT have shown strong uptake. Other innovations include fast-track OPD, homecare services, and ambulance support.
Infrastructure upgrades have included a facelift of the hospital grounds, completion of a CT scan building, establishment of a microbiology unit (set to begin operations in October 2025), and procurement of new medical equipment such as incubators and delivery beds.

Patient-centered initiatives like free NHIS registration for thousands of clients and a free tricycle ride for patients further underscore management’s commitment.

Currently, the hospital has a staff strength of 417—300 on government payroll and 117 internally financed—though management notes that the facility remains under-resourced. Key challenges include inadequate staff accommodation, shortages of specialists, and limited land for expansion.

Calls for Support

Most Rev. Joseph Kwaku Affifah-Agyekum, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua and owner of the hospital, praised management and staff for their resilience. He urged health workers to prioritize compassion over industrial actions, reminding them that “sickness can be painful, exhausting, and traumatic, and patients deserve care at all times.”

For his part, Nene Ofei Tagbaja, Asesewa Matse and Head of the Public Relations Department at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the importance of collaboration between government and communities in healthcare delivery. He explained that the government’s vision is to involve the public through stakeholder engagement, particularly in retooling facilities with the necessary equipment and staff.

He further emphasized that while physical infrastructure is important, it is the availability of modern equipment and well-trained personnel that truly transforms a building into a functioning hospital.

He disclosed that the government had recently submitted a proposal for the procurement of dialysis machines nationwide, stressing that such interventions would improve survival rates and ease the burden on families facing chronic conditions.

George A. Adjei, Director of the Catholic Health Service Trust (CHAG), also commended the hospital for achieving “major infrastructural developments befitting an institution this old.”

He noted that the CHAG now manages 54 hospitals, 100 clinics, 11 training institutions, and 5 specialized facilities nationwide, underscoring the Church’s continued role as a key partner in Ghana’s healthcare delivery.

“The commissioning of new stores, offices, and a conference hall shows that despite land and space constraints, management has found innovative ways to expand services,” Adjei said. “With this momentum, St. Martin De Porres is well-positioned to advance toward secondary-level status and, in time, possibly tertiary level.”

Looking Ahead

The anniversary celebrations will span a full year with a packed calendar of events, including media outreach and floats in September, health screenings in October, feast day celebrations in November, inter-departmental games, cleanup exercises, mentorship retreats, exhibitions, blood donation drives, and a grand durbar to climax the celebrations in September 2026.

Chairman of the launch and Municipal Health Director of Lower Manya Krobo, Dr. James Avoka, hailed the hospital’s achievements: “For over 80 years, this hospital has exhibited excellence in serving the needs of the people of this municipality and beyond.

The over 10% increase in OPD attendance is evidence that patients trust this facility, and management must continue adding value with the new services being introduced.”

As St. Martin De Porres Hospital embarks on its 80th anniversary journey, the legacy of Bishop Bowers and generations of dedicated staff lives on. The facility remains not only a beacon of healthcare in Kroboland but also a national example of resilience, innovation, and faith-driven service.