96 health facilities under construction in Ashanti Region

The Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council has announced that 96 health facilities are currently under construction across the region. The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) is constructing three of these health facilities.

The KMA projects are a paediatric clinic at the KMA Health Centre, a health facility at Moshie Zongo and a Breast Care Centre at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, announced this at the sod cutting ceremony for the KATH Breast care centre as part of activities drawn for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Dr. Amoakohene inspects the project

designs at the sod cutting ceremony

The project is estimated to cost GH¢2,442,959.20 and is being funded through the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF). The project, which is being executed by M/S Astee Company Limited and targeted for completion within 10 months, seeks to expand KATH’s initial Breast Care Unit established in July 2004 and help upgrade and broaden the hospital’s capacity to serve patients across the Ashanti Region and northern Ghana.

KATH, one of Ghana’s premier referral teaching hospitals, manages nearly 1,700 suspected breast cancer cases annually, with approximately 14 percent confirmed through histopathological biopsy examinations with majority reporting at advanced late-stage of the disease.

He stressed the need for increased public awareness and early detection.

He said Ghana’s target is to detect 60% of Breast Cancer cases at early stages to ensure diagnosis within 60 days and provide multidisciplinary care to about 80% of patients.

The Minister also mentioned other government health investments in the region as Cardia Catherisation laboratory at KATH and ongoing construction works at Sawua Regional Hospital project and the KNUST Medical Centre.

Dr Amoakohene said the investment in the infrastructural expansion was a testimony of the government’s commitment to decentralizing health care delivery and specialized tertiary care, shortening diagnostic delays, and expanding clinical access for oncology patients across central and northern Ghana.

Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, said the breast care centre was a major priority for the Assembly being one of KMA’s first major funded project.

Mr. Ofori Agyemang Boadi also revealed that construction of a paediatric centre is about 70 per cent complete, with the Assembly targeting completion by the end of the year.

Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI, the Bantamahene, who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, applauded the initiative and called for subsidised healthcare services to make treatment more affordable for breast cancer patients.

Other dignitaries at the sod cutting and handing over of the site to the contractor included Osagyefo Kissiwaa Mmua Baayie II, Kokofuhemaa, representing the Asantehemaa and Prof. Yaw Ampem Amoako, Acting Chief Executive of KATH).

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