Ghana Gas Company Ltd has cut sod for the construction of a 200-bed capacity hospital at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani in the Bono Region.

The project, when completed, is expected to complement the effort of the government to provide effective healthcare and achieve universal health coverage.

The first phase, which is already underway, will see the construction of an 80-bed facility within 24 months and will comprise an OPD, an administrative block, a lab, a pharmacy block, a mini theatre, a male and female wards, among others, with expanded emergency and speciality blocks in the next phase.

Ghana Gas Project Manager, Edomgbole Nwiah Anyimah, explained that as a national asset, wherever their products reach, community social responsibility projects must also go to the enclave, hence the decision of a hospital in Sunyani.

“When you look at the community and the institution, health facility is dear to their heart and if Ghana Gas comes to their aid in providing such a facility, then it’s not a joke”, he noted.

“Ghana Gas, led by the Chief Executive, Dr Ben Asante, has done a lot in infrastructure, especially in the area of health, and he will ensure the project will be completed within the schedule to the benefit of the people of Bono”, he assured

He, however, entreated the university, the Ghana Health Services, and other stakeholders not to sit aloof for the facility to deteriorate when completed.

Mr Anyimah said without proper and effective maintenance, the purpose of the hospital meeting the healthcare needs of the people would not be achieved.

Ahead of the sod cutting, the vice-chancellor of UENR, Prof Elvis Asare-Bediako, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Dr Ben Asante and the board of Ghana Gas for their enormous support in ensuring the holistic development of the university community.

“In the years to come, this hospital will serve as a hub for cutting-edge medical research, a training ground for future healthcare professionals and a place where lives are saved and transformed”, he said.

Prof Asare-Bediako further noted that the facility, funded by Ghana Gas Company, will offer quality healthcare to students, faculty, and staff, “ensuring their physical and mental well-being”, and also provide vital medical services to the local community beyond the campus walls.

He assured the university management and project management team of monitoring and inspecting the project to ensure its timely execution.

The Bono Regional health director, Dr. Kofi Amo-Kodieh, also expressed the directorate's delight in the proponents of the facility, describing it as bringing life to the people around.

He said the edifice is being provided to improve access and also to enable them to garner their steps towards the universal health coverage that they seek to attain.

Dr Amo-Kodieh appealed for more vertical structures, as against detached buildings, to ensure judicious use of the land for future expansions.

The contractor, Cephil Company Ltd, led by the Managing Director, Philip Bennel-Yinteman, promised to deliver quality and within schedule to meet the expectations of the stakeholders.