The Chief Executive Officer of the Sunyani Teaching Hospital, Dr. Cardinal Newton, has made an appeal to the government, private investors, and philanthropists to support the construction of staff accommodation. The hospital's existing facilities are inadequate for its expanding workforce, particularly as it prepares to establish a medical school and expects patient numbers to rise. Dr. Newton emphasized that staff accommodation is a significant challenge that could undermine the hospital's transformation plans.
The hospital currently has available land for accommodation development and is open to partnerships, including Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangements. Dr. Newton noted that some health professionals are discouraged from working at the facility due to the difficulty of finding suitable accommodation close to the hospital. He stressed that resolving the accommodation challenge is crucial, especially with the anticipated establishment of a medical school, which will increase the demand for additional personnel and infrastructure.
The hospital has recorded significant growth in patient numbers since 2023, rising from approximately 90,000 patients monthly to between 120,000 and 130,000 currently. Dr. Newton projects that the figure could reach 160,000 per month by the end of 2026, attributing the increase to growing public confidence in the facility. The hospital now receives referrals from several parts of the country, including Western North, as well as neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire.
The increasing patient numbers have placed considerable pressure on existing facilities, including seating arrangements for patients and their relatives. Recently, the hospital received 20 three-seater steel chairs valued at approximately GH¢25,000 from the Suncity Club UK. The donation is expected to help address some of these challenges. President of the association, Solomon Boateng, said the donation was a deliberate effort by members to contribute to the development of their hometown.
Dr. Newton also disclosed that the government had made commitments towards the construction of a dialysis centre, endoscopy centre, and oncology centre, with preliminary assessments already undertaken. However, he stressed that staff welfare and accommodation must receive equal attention. He urged government and other stakeholders to accelerate plans to make the proposed medical school a reality while ensuring that the necessary facilities are developed ahead of its establishment.
The CEO appealed to individuals, corporate organisations, and philanthropists to support the hospital with equipment and other essential resources, emphasizing that such contributions would help improve healthcare delivery and reduce the financial burden on management. Chief Executive Officer of Suncity Radio, Ransford Antwi, commended the club for the gesture, describing it as timely and a welcome relief to the hospital.
The Sunyani Teaching Hospital's expansion plans aim to improve healthcare services in the region. With the establishment of a medical school and increased patient numbers, the hospital requires adequate staff accommodation and infrastructure. The hospital's management is optimistic that with the support of stakeholders, it can address its challenges and provide quality healthcare services to the growing patient population.
Key points
- The hospital's patient numbers are expected to reach 160,000 per month by the end of 2026.
- The hospital is open to partnerships, including Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangements, to develop staff accommodation.
- The government has made commitments towards the construction of a dialysis centre, endoscopy centre, and oncology centre.
