Weija-Gbawe MP Demands Opening of Completed GHS 4.2 Billion Children's Hospital

The Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has demanded the immediate operationalisation of a finished children’s specialist hospital in his constituency. He stated that delays in opening the facility are worsening healthcare challenges for residents.

Mr. Shaib expressed frustration over unexplained delays. He has spoken with the Minister of Health about the matter at least five times. The initial explanation was a need for reconciliation with contractors and the World Bank. The project was funded under a World Bank initiative. It was completed under the previous administration.

This situation fits into a broader narrative of stalled infrastructure projects in Ghana. Many vital facilities remain idle after completion. This often leads to public funds being tied up unnecessarily. Reports from the Auditor-General’s department frequently highlight such underutilisation. For instance, during the 2023 financial year, several government projects were reported as unused, raising questions about planning and execution efficiency. The current delay in opening the hospital risks becoming another statistic in Ghana’s public finance management challenges, particularly within the critical healthcare sector.

The MP lamented that assurances of a swift opening have not materialised. He was told the facility would open a week after March 12. However, as of April 3, nothing had happened. Mr. Shaib warned of serious consequences, especially for women and children. "The women are upset. They are losing their children because there is no facility to take care of them," he stated. He noted patients now travel long distances for care. Some are referred to Princess Marie Louis Hospital. Existing facilities are already overstretched.

The implications of this continued closure are dire for public health in the Weija-Gbawe constituency. Emergency departments are reportedly overcrowded, with children on beds and receiving oxygen in chairs. Mr. Shaib stressed this situation is unacceptable for a fully completed and equipped facility. The hospital boasts a 120-bed capacity, a mother’s hostel, and vital equipment including working CT scan machines. He questioned why such an investment remains unused while trained health professionals face unemployment. "We keep talking about unemployment among nurses and medical practitioners, yet there is a fully completed facility not in use," he added. The MP urged against politicising infrastructure projects. He called for prioritising citizens' needs over political considerations. "We need to move away from politics. It must not be because it was started and completed under a previous government that we are leaving it to rot," he insisted.

The MP is now urging the President and the Minister of Health. He wants immediate steps to operationalise the facility. This action is crucial for improving healthcare delivery in the Weija-Gbawe constituency. Citizens and healthcare professionals await a swift resolution to this protracted delay.