A leading Ghanaian oil marketing company, Star Oil, has led the inauguration of the renovated Accident and Emergency Unit of the Worawora Hospital in the Biakoye District of the Oti Region, to improve healthcare delivery in the area.

The inauguration coincided with World Emergency Medicine Day, highlighting the theme: "Climate Change is a Health Emergency Too."

The hospital, established in 1951 and recently designated as the Oti Regional Hospital, has long served as a beacon of hope and good health.

Now boasting a 110-bed capacity, it serves as a referral centre for sub-district facilities and neighbouring districts.

With a dedicated team of over 400 staff, the hospital manages a daily outpatient attendance of 150, averages over 200 monthly emergency cases, and handles 500 monthly admissions, offering a range of general medical and surgical care.

According to the Medical Superintendent, Dr Joseph Mawunyo Apeadido, over the years, the Worawora Government Hospital has achieved numerous milestones, including being recognised as the best-performing hospital in the Oti Region, and recording zero maternal mortality last year with over 1,000 deliveries, including 400 cesarean sections.

He said the current projects include the installation of an oxygen plant by USAID RISE and the near-completion of an ultramodern NICU by UNICEF.

'' However, challenges such as inadequate staff accommodation, a shortage of clinical staff, and deteriorating infrastructure persist" he said.

The event is not just a celebration of the renovated Accident and Emergency Unit but also a tribute to the dedication and expertise of emergency medicine professionals.

Their tireless efforts, high-stakes decision-making, and emotional resilience in a fast-paced environment are the cornerstone of the hospital's mission to provide critical care.

He expressed profound gratitude to Star Oil Company for its support. He said over the past decade, Star Oil's unwavering support has been instrumental in the hospital's development, noting that the recent refurbishment of the Accident and Emergency Unit, completed in just three months at a cost of over 500,000 Ghana cedis, includes a triage area, a waiting area for relatives, wards, and a conference room.

He acknowledged the contractor and the estate manager for their tireless efforts.

The new emergency unit symbolises the hospital's commitment to saving lives, alleviating suffering, and restoring hope, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and staffed by highly trained professionals.

The event also served as a call to action for continued support and strengthening of emergency medicine systems. The hospital’s administration called for better resource allocation, sponsorship for specialist training, and infrastructure development to ensure world-class care.

They also appealed to potential sponsors and the community to support local hospitals, emphasising that "health is wealth."

In closing, Dr Joseph Mawumyo Apeadido recommended patronizing Star Oil products, praising their value for money, reliability, competitive prices, pleasant customer service, and convenient electronic payment options.

The Board Chairman of Star Oil, Torgbui Xornametor, known in private life as Mr Vincent Kaledzi recounted how his parents cherished the hospital right from his childhood and the fond memories he has of the hospital hence his decision to help refurbish the centre.

The Oti Regional Director of Health, Dr Osei Kuffour Afreh was grateful to Star Oil for their kind gesture over the years and expressed the hope that other organisations and individuals will emulate the benevolence of the company.