The Holy Family Catholic Hospital in Techiman has been praised as a cornerstone of Ghana’s healthcare system during an oversight visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health as part of their national tour of health facilities.
Vice Chair of the Health Committee in Parliament, Hon. Dr. Sebastian Sandaare and Dr. Peter Yeboah, Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), both underscored the hospital’s vital role in national healthcare delivery and called for urgent support to address its infrastructure and resource gaps.
Dr. Sandaare lauded the professionalism, dedication, and cheerful spirit of the hospital’s staff, describing the environment as exemplary.
“We are impressed by the commitment and hard work of the staff. Holy Family is almost operating like a teaching hospital, and it deserves commensurate support,” he said.
The Committee’s visit to the facility forms part of a nationwide monitoring exercise aimed at assessing conditions in healthcare facilities and engaging directly with regional health administrators, staff and management of Government-sponsored hospitals.
The team led by Dr Sabestian Sandaare, MP for Daffiama/Bussie/Issa also included Professor Titus Beyuo, the MP for Lambussie and Emmanuel Kwaku Boam, the member for Pru East. Two other teams toured the northern and southern belts respectively.
Dr. Sandaare, however, pointed out critical challenges facing the hospital, including a shortage of space, human resources, and key medical equipment such as MRI machines, patient monitors, and mammogram units.
He stressed the hospital’s importance as a referral centre serving the Bono East, Upper West, Upper East, and Northern Regions, adding that its strategic position enhances its significance.
Echoing these sentiments, Dr. Peter Yeboah described Holy Family Hospital as a true “national asset,” noting its strategic location at the heart of Ghana’s north-south corridor.
“You cannot travel to the Upper East or Upper West without passing through Techiman. This hospital serves a national purpose and must be supported accordingly,” Dr. Yeboah said.
He shared a story of a former Minister of Health who, after receiving anonymous treatment at the facility, became a strong advocate for upgrading Holy Family Hospital to a teaching institution because of the quality of care he received.
Both leaders stressed the need for greater collaboration within the health sector to eliminate competition and duplication of efforts.
“Healthcare should be about synergy, not silos. We must move beyond politics and embrace partnership for the sake of public health,” Dr. Yeboah emphasized.
He also urged swift reimbursement of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) claims and advocated for a fair economic tariff system to sustain service providers, warning that delayed payments and illegal charges are symptoms of deeper systemic issues.
“Facilities like Holy Family must be reimbursed promptly to keep their doors open and maintain quality care,” he said.
Reflecting on the rise of road traffic emergencies, Dr. Sandaare warned that vehicular accidents are fast becoming a leading cause of death and hospital admissions. He called for intensive public education on road safety alongside better hospital readiness to manage such emergencies.
“Prevention is key, but we must also ensure hospitals have the tools to diagnose and save lives swiftly when accidents happen,” he added.
Both Dr. Sandaare and Dr. Yeboah expressed optimism that with strong leadership and renewed political commitment—citing the health sector initiatives under former President John Mahama—Ghana could see major improvements in healthcare infrastructure, particularly for high-performing facilities like Holy Family Hospital.
Dr. Yeboah thanked the MPs for their continued advocacy, pledging CHAG’s unwavering support for Ghana’s health sector advancement.
“Holy Family stands as CHAG’s number one in service output, impact, and innovation. We remain committed to partnering with government efforts towards achieving universal health coverage,” he added.