The Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Oko Boye, has pledged to provide a state-of-the-art digital X-ray machine to Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital (ENRH) by the end of October 2024. The minister announced this during a staff durbar held in the hospital’s conference room.

Dr. Oko Boye was on a working visit to the Western Region to assess the needs of various healthcare facilities. The minister climaxed his tour with a visit to Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital to review the progress of a new block under construction as part of the remodeling of the hospital. Dr Oko Boye and his entourage together with members of hospital management and some staff were conducted round the new block by representatives of Amandi Investments Limited. The Minister, accompanied by the Western Regional Minister Hon, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah and the Member of Parliament for Sekondi Hon, Andrew Egyapa Mercer was shown some proposed service areas in the project, including the proposed Accident and Emergency Unit, the Outpatient Department, and many more.

Following the tour of the project, a special staff durbar was organized for Dr. Oko Boye to engage with the hospital staff and listen to their concerns. Among key issues raised by staff was the abandonment of patients often at the Accident and Emergency Unit, without relatives to support their care. The Minister indicated that there are ongoing discussions for the NHIS to fully cover the bills of patients who are genuinely unable to pay. Other concerns raised by staff bothered on conditions of service for healthcare staff. Dr. Oko Boye assured the staff that their concerns have been duly noted and promised to follow up on them.

Another critical issue highlighted was the urgent need for new radiology equipment, such as a CT scan and an X-ray machine. The Medical Director, Dr. Joseph Kojo Tambil made a passionate appeal for these machines to help reduce the plight of clients who sometimes have to be referred elsewhere for the service.  The Minister promised that the hospital would receive a new digital X-ray machine by October 2024 and gave an assurance to follow up on the request for a CT scan.

In conclusion, the Medical Director of the Hospital, expressed his gratitude to the Minister for his visit and commitment to improving the health service in the region. He also thanked the hospital staff for their dedication, professionalism, and hard work despite challenges the hospital faces.

STORY BY: STACY ADAMS

PR UNIT