Doctors, nurses and other stakeholders among other hierarchies of the Keta Municipal Hospital in the Volta Region, have launched the hospital’s 100 years’ anniversary.
The exercise also demonstrated quality healthcare delivered over the years through better leadership, training, research, innovation and partnership.
Dr. Kofi Karikari Bonsu, the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, during the laughing ceremony, said that the hospital from its modest beginning of basic clinical care, maternal and child health, communicable disease control and environmental health, has grown to become a main referral facility in the municipality.
“Today we provide a wide range of services including general medical and surgical services, reproductive and child health, ophthalmic, dental and ENT service, psychiatry and mental health service and renal dialysis and ICU services,” he said.
He explained that the hospital currently receive referral from other facilities across the municipality and beyond in emergency, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology and ultrasound services, skin draft, mortuary and ancillary services and provided feedback to ensure continuity of care.
He said 95 per cent of clients who were largely National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) card bearers were attended to through the hospital’s 24 hours daily activities to meet their needs.
He said that the Keta Municipal hospital made some historic achievements over the years including best hospital in Volta region in 2017, best peer reviewed hospital in 2014,2015 and 2016, first hospital in the region to start renal dialysis service after Ho Teaching hospital.
“Other achievements we have that we are the first hospital to establish a dedicated centre for wound care and its ward, establishment of health policy for all staff and 3 of staff dependents, provision store in hospital, and canteen service in the hospital for staff and clients.”
He noted that from 2023 to 2025 half year, the hospital’s OPD capita has increased from 1.4 to 1.7 with attendance increased from 28,359 and 37,894 while admission has been increased by 11.4 per cent.
Bed occupancy rate increased from 43 per cent to 67.4 per cent while institutional mortality rate per 1000 admission which reduced from 25.6 per cent to 22 per cent while under 5 mortality rate reduced from 16/1000 live birth to single number 7/1000 live birth.
Dr. Bonsu said the objective for the centenary was to upgrade Keta Municipal hospital from primary health care facility to a fully-fledged secondary health care facility which would involve upgrading of infrastructure, retooling, new services such as endoscopy, CT scan and physiotherapy, building residential accommodation and improving human resource base.
Mr. Wisdom Seade, the Keta Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) who spoke on behalf of Mr. James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, and Guest of Honour of the programme, congratulated the hospital staff for the hardwork over the years in delivering quality healthcare.
He said President Mahama led government has prioritised public healthcare and has directed that 10 per cent of District Common Fund to be used to construct two CHPS compound in the municipalities every year to alleviate the pressure on the bigger health centres and bring healthcare delivery to the doorstep of the public.
Professor Lydia Aziato, Vice Chancellor of University of Health and Alliance Science, and the Guest Speaker of the event also urged the hospital staff to always exhibit professionalism in their delivery, accept feedback and work beyond the limit to safeguard the life of all.
Dr. Emmanuel Atsu Dordo, the Volta Regional Director of Health Service, who was the Special Guest of Honour, expressed satisfaction about the achievement made so far by the Keta municipal hospital and pledged that the facility would receive all the necessary supports to curb their challenges.
Some staff and other participants Ghana News Agency interviewed during event thanked the organisers for the smooth and successful programme which was on the theme, ” A century of Quality and Equitable Healthcare: Repositioning Keta Municipal Hospital for the Network of Practice.”
GNA
