Kofi Ampeah Woode
In fulfilment of an assurance to Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) personnel, to improve their healthcare, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) – Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Thomas Oppong-Peprah has cut sod for the construction of a new hospital at Duala, Burma Camp, Accra, for exclusive service to soldiers, Defence Civilian Staff (DCS), and their families.
On Tuesday 30 April 2024, the CDS broke grounds for the commencement of the 80-bed capacity project, which is a collaboration between GAF and MAYFAIR ESTATES LTD, led by its Chief Executive Officer – Dr John Watson Otumfuo, and is expected to be completed in twenty-four (24) months.
Providing essence for the new construction, General Oppong-Peprah stated that per available data, majority of GAF personnel now prefer to go to private health facilities to pay for quality healthcare, in the face of dwindling health service delivery, due to increased public patronage of the 37 Military Hospital (37 MIL HOSP).
He said, although 37 MIL HOSP is one of the finest referral healthcare facilities in Ghana, and serves as a National Emergency Hospital, being a United Nations Level 4 referral centre, its commitments, amidst the large catchment area, continue to increase the patronage of the civilian populace and, in most cases, are above the entitled service personnel.
During his maiden durbar with troops and DCS of GAF at the Burma Hall, Accra, the CDS assured of his resolve to improve healthcare delivery to soldiers, civilian employees, and their families, hinting of plans afoot to construct a new hospital in Burma Camp, to alleviate the enormous patient-load on the 37 Mil Hosp.
The sod-cutting was in realization of that hospital, upon whose completion, shall have the full range of facilities expected of a District Hospital, to provide quality health delivery for soldiers, civilian employees, and their families, with the construction being phased to achieve the aspiration.
The Duala Hospital will host a modern Administration Block, Outpatient Department, modern Diagnostic, Eye and Dental, Public Health, and Wellness Centres, with future developmental expansion adding Maternity Blocks, Surgical Theatres, Consulting Rooms for Specialists and Consultants, with an end-state of providing critical services similar to that of 37 Mil Hosp.
The CDS, assuring of adequate plans already put in place to provide resources for the construction and furnishing of the hospital, announced that the concept would be replicated in some Garrisons of GAF, while others will see upgrades in their medical equipment, and improvement in their medical supplies. He thanked Mayfair Estates for taking up the project.
He also spoke of arrangements with GAF partners from the United States of America, to construct a United Nations Level II Hospital in Tamale, to support the Medical Reception Station (MRS) at the Bawa and Kamina Barracks, in 6 Garrison.
Extending invitation to well-meaning Ghanaians and philanthropists interested in supporting the construction of the hospitals, Lt Gen Oppong-Peprah extolled GAF’s Medical Corps for their diligent service to Ghana, troops, and families.
Present at the event included the Chief of Staff (COS), General Headquarters (GHQ) – Major General (Maj Gen) Joseph Prince Osei-Owusu; Deputy COS, Medical – Maj Gen Raymond Ewusi; Deputy COS, Administration – Air Vice Marshal Michael Appiah-Agyekum; Deputy COS – Rear Admiral Samuel Agyenim-Boateng.
Others were Dr John Watson Otumfuo of Mayfair Estates; Senior Officers from GHQ, Officers, Forces Sergeant Major – Master Warrant Officer – Daniel Addo; Service Sergeant Majors, Soldiers, Defence Civilian Staff.
Credit: Office of the CDS, GAF
