Member of Parliament for Daffiama-Bussie-Issa and Vice Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Dr. Sebastian Sandaare, has commended the management and staff of St. Anne Hospital in Damongo for their outstanding healthcare delivery.
Speaking during a tour of the facility on Wednesday, April 23, Dr. Sandaare praised the high-quality service provided to residents of the Savannah Region. He lauded the hospital’s sanitation efforts, patient care, management practices, and cleanliness.
Despite the praise, Dr. Sandaare acknowledged several challenges affecting the hospital’s operations. These include persistent water shortages, unreliable power supply due to an overstretched transformer, and staffing constraints. He also acknowledged the facility’s infrastructure and resource limitations.
“We are impressed with what we have seen generally because we are on the field to observe how our people are treated when they visit health facilities.
“We’ve gathered enough issues. We’ll compile our report, take it back to Parliament, present it, and advocate for solutions to the problems you are confronted with,” he said.
The Health Committee of Parliament is currently touring health facilities nationwide, divided into three teams covering the northern, middle, and southern belts. Dr. Sandaare leads the middle belt team, which includes Hon. Emmanuel Kwaku Boam, MP for Pru-East, Prof. Titus Beyuo, MP for Lambussie, and Parliamentary staff.
Dr. Sandaare emphasized the need for equitable resource distribution between government and CHAG (Christian Health Association of Ghana) facilities. He expressed confidence in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, to address disparities in healthcare.
“John Dramani Mahama is one president that believes in equity. He does not discriminate. When it comes to healthcare delivery, he believes resources should be distributed equitably,” he said.
Addressing the unfulfilled promise of a regional hospital for the Savannah Region made in 2019, Dr. Sandaare criticized the previous government’s inaction and lamented the failed Agenda 111 projects. He stressed that MPs do not decide on hospital locations but will advocate for improvement of existing facilities.
“People should not put the burden of Agenda 111 on John Mahama. The people who promised and failed are the NPP government under Nana Akufo-Addo. But the NDC government will do everything possible to ensure Ghanaians have quality healthcare,” he added.
He expressed optimism that a future NDC administration would prioritize the healthcare needs of the Savannah Region:
“There is hope in the new government,” he stated.
The Bishop of Damongo, Most Rev. Peter Paul Angkyier, during a courtesy call on his office, made a passionate appeal to the government and Members of Parliament to deepen collaboration with faith-based health facilities, especially in underserved areas like the Savannah Region.
He stressed the importance of equitable collaboration between the state and church-run facilities under the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) and recounted a missed opportunity when an oxygen plant meant for the hospital was redirected elsewhere, despite the St Anne Hospital’s urgent need.
“Sometimes we have to struggle as CHAG facilities to get resources which are meant for all Ghanaians. Yet, we are all serving the same people,” he said and appealing to the committee for more advocacy and equity in resource distribution.
Dr. Nelson Agboadoh, a medical doctor at the hospital, presented an overview of the hospital’s operations and underscored a pressing issue: the lack of staff accommodation. He noted that while a structure had been converted into a doctor’s residence, dedicated living quarters are urgently needed to attract and retain specialist doctors.
Aiden Ngmenbon, the Diocesan Director for Health at St. Anne, also expressed frustration over delays in financial clearance for health staff. He noted that the facility continues to lose critical staff to other institutions with more efficient clearance processes. He appealed to the Committee for assistance in expediting financial clearance for St. Anne Hospital’s personnel.
