Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the conversion of the Bono Regional Hospital to a teaching hospital status, Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, has announced
Cabinet approved at its 45th meeting held in February this year, saying the transformation to teaching Hospital status and the establishment of a medical school had the potential to revolutionize healthcare and medical education in the region and beyond.
“The conversion from a Bono Regional Hospital to a teaching Hospital status will strengthen the Hospital’s position as a Centre of Excellence and attract top-tier medical professionals to the region,” he stated.
The Health Minister disclosed this at a stakeholder’s meeting with Heads of Departments and Agencies, academia, health officials, and traditional leaders in the region
He said a medical school would soon be established at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), he explained when
Mr Agyemang-Manu said the influx of specialists and other health care professionals would not only benefit patients, but also contributed to the economic growth of the region as the “Bono Region becomes a powerful hub of healthcare, innovation and research.”
Additionally, the decision to establish a medical school came from a profound understanding of the importance of investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals.
“We envision a future where the region becomes a hub of medical excellence, where talented minds from all walks of life come together to learn, innovate and transform the landscape of healthcare.”
These initiatives, Mr Agyemang-Manu believed these initiatives would strongly align with the nation’s quest for the attainment of United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3.8) which seeks to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
“To attain UHC, there is the need to improve health service coverage and health outcomes and Government is committed to ensuring that health workforce receives adequate professional training in varied specialties, hence, the establishment of the postgraduate
college,” he stated.
Mr Agyemang-Manu urged the Ministry of Education through the UENR to push the agenda for the start of processes for the medical school and called on all relevant stakeholders to collaborate and support in pursuit of the teaching Hospital.
Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister said the establishment of a teaching Hospital would elevate the standard of healthcare services in the region to an unprecedented height, saying providing medical students with hands-on, real-life experiences, “we can equip them with the practical skills and knowledge needed to become exemplary healthcare professionals”.
She said the region had often faced the challenge of healthcare professionals seeking opportunities in other areas due to limited training facilities, indicating by offering a medical school and teaching hospital within the region, “we create an environment that fosters a sense of belonging and pride among our medical graduates”.
“As they forge strong bonds with our communities during their training, we can expect a greater likelihood of them staying and serving in our region, addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals and positively impacting healthcare accessibility for the people ,” Madam Owusu-Banahene stated.
GNA