President Nana Akufo-Addo has commissioned the third phase of the Upper East Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga to improve quality healthcare delivery.

The state-of-the-art facility, equipped with modern medical equipment, was valued at $52 million secured from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).

The completed phase comprised a four-storey building accommodation with 39 flats for hospital staff, a kitchen, laundry and Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD), relatives hostel, roads and drainage works, medical and non-medical equipment and other axillary facilities.

The first and second phases comprising the Out-Patients Department, maternity and staff accommodation, Accident and Emergency Department, X-ray Department, laboratory and blood bank were completed in the Kufour and Mahama administrations respectively.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Akufo-Addo noted that the hospital had over the years undergone several renovations and expansions to meet the growing healthcare needs of residents of the region.

He said the transformation of the hospital was made possible with a $20 million concessional loan facility from the SFD, which supported the second and third phases of the project.

“Additionally, the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Health, secured another $12 million facility from the Saudi Fund for Development that covered the design, supervision and civil works for phase three of the hospital’s rehabilitation.

“Whilst the project initially faced funding challenges that threatened to limit its scope, Government through the Ministry of Health again, successfully secured yet another $20 million from the Saudi Fund for Development,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo said the government set an ambitious goal to complete the third phase of the facility before the end of 2024.

“It is with considerable gratitude that I extend heartfelt appreciation to all the stakeholders who worked tirelessly to achieve this milestone.”

He was confident that by the end of 2024, a significant number of health-related projects, including the Urology and Neurology Centre of Excellence at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, and the construction of 11 District Hospitals and one Polyclinic would be completed.

He noted that the healthcare system and infrastructure were one of the greatest legacies of his government, saying “To sustain the progress we have made, we should have a well thought out maintenance plan in place, and I urge the management of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital to implement a preventive maintenance plan to ensure  long term use of this facility.”

President Akufo-Addo thanked the SFD for their assistance and fully funding the project and said the assistance from the Fund was a graphic illustration of the excellent relations the Republic of Ghana enjoyed with Saudi Arabia.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Ghana, Sultan Abdul Rahman Aldakhe, said the relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Ghana expanded over several years through the SFD and many entities in Ghana, including the Ministry of Health.

He expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo and all stakeholders who contributed to the successful completion of the project.

On his part, the General Director of the Africa Operation of the SFD, Mohammed Alshammari, said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s cooperation with Ghana started in 1977 when the two countries signed the first loan agreement.

He said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had over the years funded 10 development projects in Ghana through other loan agreements to improve sectors such as education, water and sanitation, health, among others, and indicated that the SFD was proud to be associated with the hospital project and expressed the hope that it would make a difference in the life of residents.

The Minister of Health, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye added that the hospital was not just block and mortar, but a symbol of hope, a place where lives would be saved and futures made brighter,

“With the support of the SFD, we have not only constructed a hospital but created a centre of excellence, complete with state-of-the-art facilities,” he added.