The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has entreated all Ghanaians to put their political affiliations behind them, and rather join the campaign to eradicate road accidents in the country, since accidents have no regard for one’s political inclination.
He made the call in a welcome address delivered during the launching of the 50th Anniversary of the Shum Government Hospital, at Suhum last Thursday.
He made the remarks following an earlier observation made by the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. Emmanuel Ashong Tetteh, that in spite of the fact his outfit serves as the centre for accident victims, due to its position, the hospital has no Accident Emergency Centre (A&E Centre), among other facilities, to cater for accident victims.
To this the Minister called on Ghanaians to support the hospital in an effort to construct a modern A&E Centre, since accident have no regard for political, educational, colour and religious backgrounds.
According to him, there was no denying the fact that the hospital was strategically located to deal with emergency accident cases which occur on the Accra-Suhum-Nkawkaw stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway, adding that the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) and police statistics show that the Suhum area was a most accident-prone area.
In spite of all these, the Eastern Regional Minister declared that it was regrettable to know that in its 50 years of existence the hospital lacks a Casualty Emergency Centre, and emergency cases were either seen to at the wards, or the OPD, during the day and night.
“This is unacceptable and something needs to be done about it.”, he said
The most pathetic story is that due to lack of A&E Centre, victims are nursed in open trolleys, structures, benches, and even on the floors.
He assured the management of the hospital and residents of the area, of his readiness and commitment to find an immediate solution to the infrastructure problems of the hospital, and also urged them to exercise restraint and wait for the outcome.
The theme, “50 Years of Quality Service: Challenges and the Way Forward,” Mr. Ampofo said was most appropriate, because the establishment of the hospital, 50 years ago, calls for analysis of the operations of the hospital, to know the achievements chalked, and also identify the challenges and strategise on how to surmount them, to enable the hospital chart a new future course.
According to him, healthcare was a collective effort that involves the government and stakeholders in both the public and private health sector.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area, Mr. Sammy Kwabi, on his part, stated that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government was a human-centered one, with aim of providing a ‘Better Ghana’ for all to live in.
“In pursuit of his noble objective, the welfare of our health professionals, as well as the provision of a conducive environment for healthcare delivery, is of paramount importance to the district Assembly,” he mentioned.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Suhum Constituency, Mr. Fredrick Opare-Ansah, assured the management of the hospital, of his commitment to ensure that the hospital becomes one of modern day status.
