President John Dramani Mahama has expressed satisfaction with ongoing construction works at the La Hospital, assuring that the project will be completed on schedule to ease pressure on healthcare facilities in Accra.
During an inspection visit, the President commended the contractor for the steady progress, emphasizing government’s commitment to ensuring the project does not stall.
“The hospital is progressing quite well, and we want to make sure that it continues and is delivered on due date,” he stated.
The contractor has indicated that the facility is on track for completion and commissioning by November 2027.
President Mahama highlighted the critical role the hospital will play in improving healthcare access, noting that since the demolition of the old La General Hospital, patients have had to rely on facilities such as Greater Accra Regional Hospital, LEKMA Hospital, and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
He explained that the new hospital will add approximately 160 beds, helping to address persistent complaints about limited bed capacity, especially in emergency situations.
“People complain that when they have emergencies, they are not able to get sufficient beds. This hospital will add 160 more beds,” he noted.
The President also revealed that government has terminated the contract for the stalled Police Hospital project, with plans to re-award it to accelerate completion and further expand healthcare capacity.
Addressing the growing demand for quality healthcare in Accra, he stressed that government remains committed to completing key health infrastructure projects.
“Accra is a fast-growing city, and the population demands quality healthcare. We will do everything possible to complete this project.”
In the interim, government is implementing measures to tackle the “no-bed syndrome,” particularly in emergency cases.
President Mahama announced plans to repurpose the emergency center at Burma Camp originally established during the COVID-19 pandemic—into a dedicated emergency facility.
According to him, the center will provide immediate stabilization for patients who are unable to secure beds at major hospitals before they are transferred for further treatment.
“This is to prevent needless deaths due to the no-bed syndrome,” he stressed.
The President also referenced the recently launched primary healthcare programme, which focuses on prevention through regular health checks and early detection of diseases.
The initiative includes screening for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and breast cancer, aimed at reducing hospital admissions and easing pressure on health facilities.
“Prevention is better than cure. With early detection, people will not always need hospitalization,” he said.
President Mahama reaffirmed his confidence in the project timeline and expressed optimism that residents of La and surrounding communities will benefit significantly once the hospital is completed.
“We will be back here in November 2027 to take over this hospital, and I am sure the people of La will be very happy,” he concluded.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
