The Management of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in the Volta Region has appealed for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to develop the University.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Lydia Aziato, called for financial support towards constructing some proposed infrastructure to accommodate the over 8,792 student population. 

She was speaking during a visit to the University by the Volta Regional representative on the Council of State, Torbgui Seth Albert Francis Nyonyo.

UHAS, established in 2012, has become the favorite for prospective students who wish to study health-related programmes in Ghana. 

Despite efforts to provide the needed infrastructure for lectures and accommodation, the school still has a deficit.

Prof. Lydia Aziato showcased 3D architectural designs of a proposed library and ICT center estimated at $13 million, a $6.5 million Lecture Complex, and the UHAS Medical Center, worth $200 million and entreated the public to help the University deliver the projects. 

She also appealed for rehabilitation of the Dr. Christian Botchway Learning Center in Accra, which would cost about $5 million. 

“We also think that people will want to leave a memory, so a stakeholder, family or friends can come together and leave a memory of that lecture hall”, she said while projecting the architectural design of the proposed lecture complex. 

Prof Aziato also lamented the delay in construction works on the access and inner-campus roads and the progress of work on the School of Public Health in Hohoe. 

She indicated that the University is only able to provide accommodation for 15.7% of the student population, while the rest of the students are left to their fate to secure accommodation in the townships of Ho, Sokode, or Hohoe. 

She outlined the Asogli Hostel, Sokode Hostel, staff bungalows, pharmacy building, and UHAS Basic School as some of the projects completed in the University Community to augment infrastructure. 

She also called for support to enable the University to undertake research, establish students’ grants and scholarships, a high-fidelity simulation laboratory, a telemedicine and health technology center, and procure vehicles for students and staff. 

She stressed that it is imperative to support the University to produce competent and highly skilled health professionals in this post-Covid era.

During an interaction with the student body, Torbgui Nyonyo expressed dismay at the myriad of challenges outlined by Prof. Aziato and assured of mobilizing funds to rehabilitate the Dr. Christian Botchway Learning Center in Accra.

He disclosed that the Nyonyo Foundation would establish a scholarship fund for the University and presented GhC200.000 with the support of his friends for the purchase of ICT and administrative logistics. 

He advised the Student Representative Council to mobilize the alumni of the University to support its development by organizing and leading fundraising campaigns. 

“The infrastructure deficit is all over the universities, UHAS is no exception, but I can assure you, we will do it”, he stressed. 

Torbgui Nyonyo is optimistic UHAS would continue to excel across the globe considering the competence of the faculty and team managing the University. 

The University Management led Torbgui Nyonyo on a tour of the main campus in Sokode for him to have first-hand information on the efforts being made to develop the University. 

They visited the GETfund-sponsored Laboratory Complex on the main campus, the Chinese Aid-funded School of Nursing and Midwifery and Central Administration project site, lecturers’ bungalows site, the Sokode Hostel constructed with a loan facility from Ghana Commercial Bank, and the UHAS Basic School.