The Board of Ho Teaching Hospital has called on the government to “secure and operationalise" the Korean Exim Bank loan facility as soon as possible.

The Board Chairman, Dr Delanyo Yao Tsidi Dovlo. explained that this loan facility is vital for the hospital's expansion project, as the hospital currently faces pressure to provide specialist healthcare services and accommodate increasing number of patients.

“We respectfully make a passionate appeal to the Government to expedite all processes necessary to secure and operationalise the Korea Exim Bank Loan Facility, which remains crucial to the successful implementation of the expansion project."

“Every effort should be made to conclude the outstanding arrangements so that construction can commence without further delay," he said during a media engagement in Klefe.

Dr Dovlo also noted that part of the funds would support the hospital in improving medical education, conducting research, hiring more specialists, and boosting economic development in the Oti and Volta Regions.

He urged stakeholders to join the advocacy by appealing to the government to start the expansion project promptly for the benefit of all.

“Together, we can advocate for the timely execution of this transformational project that will benefit generations to come," he said.

He announced the establishment of a Music Therapy Studio, a pioneering initiative in the West African sub-region, as part of its Medical Tourism agenda “which seeks to integrate evidence-based complementary therapies into conventional healthcare."

Dr Dovlo also mentioned that the hospital has seen improvements in specialist clinic services, installed modern equipment, and infrastructure.

“Our Laboratory Services continue to distinguish themselves, having attained a Four-Star SafeCare rating and completed the ISO 15189 pre-assessment," he added.

The Chief Executive Officer of Ho Teaching Hospital, Dr Hintermann Mbroh, explained that the hospital has established a 24-hour outpatient department and family health centre to support the implementation of the government’s Free Primary Healthcare, by ensuring patients are able to access services at all times.

He disclosed that, with support from the Ghana Health Service and USAID, the hospital has adopted seven district hospitals, which are receiving capacity building to enhance specialist care and reproductive and maternal healthcare across the region.

Dr Mbroh also announced the introduction of an SMS system for appointments and feedback from service users and applauded the MTN Foundation for improving the hospital's bed capacity.

“Most data currently shows that emergency beds are very few in teaching hospitals. Korle Bu has a capacity of over 1,300.

"We have a 22-bed emergency bed facility. Through MTN Foundation, they handed over a block with 30 more beds. Additionally, we have created a high-dependency unit because some patients require that level of care.”

"This has increased our bed capacity from 20 to 52 in a hospital with over 300 beds. This is a positive development that helps us," he explained.

Dr Mbroh acknowledged MTN’s contribution in increasing hospital emergency capacity by providing a 30-bed facility, which has significantly enhanced patient care and accommodation.

The Board of Ho Teaching Hospital called on the media in the Volta and Oti Regions to collaborate with management to improve healthcare delivery.

The Volta-Oti Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association, Dr Harrison Belle, assured that the media would work together with the hospital, emphasising constructive criticism and feedback to help improve services.