The minister of information, Zita Okaikoi says cabinet has approved a twenty-eight million Euro (€28,000,000.00) loan for rehabilitation works at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. The €28million facility from Fortis Bank N.V. of the Netherlands is, however, waiting for the approval from parliament. In a statement issued by the minister, she noted that “Cabinet took note of the fact that the Tamale Teaching Hospital which is the only major referral hospital serving the entire northern belt has over the years experienced major decline, lost many specialist medical staff, deterioration of infrastructure and depletion in equipment stock.” The statement said the works, when started will be completed in four years and eight months, adding, “The design, construction, and installation of medical equipment required for the hospital to be commissioned will be ready within thirty-two months.” Commissioned in the 18th century, the Tamale Teaching Hospital has seen no major rehabilitation. According to the statement, the main complex of the hospital, comprising the OPD, tower and technical blocks is in a state of severe disrepair and other structures have either not been completed or have developed serious structural problems that pose threats to both staff and patients. Despite all these problems, the hospital serves as the principal teaching facility for the faculty of medicine of the University of Development Studies. However, the minister says upon completion, the hospital will have all key functional services consolidated in one new 4-storey building located at the eastern front side of the existing hospital, in addition to 1,000 beds. She also noted that the new structure would be linked to the old structure through a transfer block, using a new entrance for patients, visitors and staff. “There would also be a separate entrance to the administrative offices on top of the existing OPD,” the statement said. The minister expressed hope that once the hospital is upgraded, its capacity to care for the health needs of people in the northern belt would be increased and will attract and retain qualified staff. By: Dorcas Efe Mensah/myjoyonline.com/Ghana