The Medical Superintendent of Goaso Municipal Hospital, Dr. James Ankamah, has issued a passionate appeal for immediate government and private sector intervention to address the facility’s crumbling infrastructure, critical staffing shortages, and growing operational constraints.
During a monitoring visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Dr Ankamah painted a grim picture of conditions at the 128-bed hospital, stressing that its ageing buildings require constant and costly repairs.
“The blocks are very old, and maintaining them demands continuous renovations at great expense,” he said, describing the facility’s state as “very dire.”
Despite serving thousands of patients across nine wards, the hospital, he noted, has not benefited from any significant infrastructure upgrades in recent years. Among the hardest-hit departments is the antenatal care (ANC) unit, where limited space and a surge in demand have forced expectant mothers to seek services elsewhere.
“The space is simply too small to accommodate all our patients. Some prefer private or mission hospitals like St. Elizabeth because they have better facilities,” he acknowledged.
Staffing challenges, according to Dr. Ankamah, have reached critical levels. Out of 488 staff members, only three are specialists—a general surgeon, an ophthalmologist, and a dental surgeon. He revealed that the hospital lost 59 staff members in 2024 alone, including its only obstetrician-gynecologist, who migrated abroad.
Temporary staff now fill many vital roles, with 45 personnel working without job security.
Housing for healthcare workers is another major issue, Dr. Ankamah noted that “Accommodation costs in Goaso rival those in Accra due to mining activities, making it difficult for doctors and nurses to settle here.”
He urged the government to prioritize the construction of staff quarters to ease the financial burden on health workers and retain essential personnel.
Dr. Ankamah explained, however, that despite these challenges and more, some gains have been made.
Maternal mortality, he said, remains a concern—three deaths were recorded in 2023—but the hospital boasts a 118% follow-up rate for ANC registrants and has achieved full coverage in distributing insecticide-treated nets to expectant mothers.
He appealed for the hospital’s upgrade to secondary-level status to align with the range of procedures already being carried out.
“We perform secondary-level surgeries like thyroidectomies but aren’t compensated accordingly. Upgrading us would unlock critical resources.”
He also urged improvements to the hospital’s surrounding infrastructure including the dusty, potholed roads that stained the corridors with mud during rains and detering patients.
Members of the Committee praised the staff for their dedication despite the challenges and frustrations and pledged the hospital will not be neglected in government’s plans for the sector.
Team leader, Dr. Sebastian Sandaare assured the staff that under the Mahama Care intervention, the government would consider upgrading the status of the hospital to fit the amazing delivery of the facility.
Prof Titus Beyuo, the MP for Lambussie sympathised with challenges of the hospital and suggested they approach some of the mining companies in the area to support through their corporate social interventions.
He stressed that the presence of the Goaso Municipal Hospital also benefits these companies directly and indirectly hence the need to also support.
