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The Suhum Government Hospital, a critical healthcare facility strategically positioned along the busy Accra–Kumasi highway, is facing significant operational and infrastructural challenges that continue to hamper effective service delivery.
These issues were laid bare during a working visit by the newly appointed Suhum Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Lydia Ohenewa Sarah, The visit, her first to the hospital since assuming office, was aimed at acquainting herself with the facility's operations and building synergy with the healthcare management team.
In his welcoming address, the Municipal Director of Health, Mr. Fredrick Ofosu, expressed appreciation for the visit, noting that stronger collaboration between the Assembly and health directorate was essential to improving service delivery. However, the core of the engagement centered on the daunting challenges presented by the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Ahmed Tijani Sulemana. Emergency Ward Under Strain.
Dr. Sulemana highlighted the dire need for the expansion of the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit, which is overwhelmed due to the high volume of accident victims rushed in from the adjoining highway. We receive daily emergencies, often with multiple casualties, yet our emergency space remains critically limited. This compromises the quality and speed of care, he lamented. Ambulance Crisis Deepens Referral Woes
One of the most pressing concerns raised was the hospital's lack of a functioning ambulance service. Dr. Sulemana noted that the absence of a reliable ambulance severely affects emergency referrals, with patients often forced to rely on commercial vehicles or wait for help from distant districts. This delay has led to avoidable complications and, in some cases, fatalities.
Stalled Infrastructure Projects. The medical superintendent also appealed for intervention in the completion of an abandoned health facility started under the Ghana First initiative, which remains unused years after construction began. Calls for Staff Motivation.
In a bid to boost morale among healthcare workers, Dr. Sulemana proposed the introduction of an Excellence Award, scheme to acknowledge and reward outstanding staff. He stressed that staff motivation is essential to sustaining high-quality patient care in a facility operating under resource constraints.
MCE Pledges Support, In her response, Lydia Ohenewa Sarah assured the hospital's management of her administration’s commitment to prioritizing health in the municipality.
The Suhum Government Hospital has historically served as a vital referral center for nearby towns and travelers involved in road traffic accidents along one of Ghana’s busiest highways. However, underinvestment, infrastructure delays, and logistical shortfalls have consistently plagued the institution.
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