Navrongo to Get a Medical School Soon?

The CKT-UTAS medical school in Navrongo is soon to come. The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service has committed to expediting the process.

The War Memorial Hospital in Navrongo is located in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality of the Upper East Region. It is being upgraded to become a teaching hospital.

The facility’s upgrade would enable the addition of a medical school. This would be added to the Clement Kubindiwor Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS).

The purpose of this is to educate skilled healthcare experts in conducting research. It aims to enhance healthcare access and outcomes in the region. This will have a positive impact on academic and community well-being.

Pe Asagpaare Aneakwoa Balinia Adda II, the Paramount Chief of Navrongo Traditional Area, requested action. In response, Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea is the Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS). He made a commitment in Navrongo. He will advocate for the completion of projects. These projects were pledged by President John Dramani Mahama before the 2024 General Elections.

During his three-day tour of the northern regions, he also visited the Paramount Chief. The purpose of his tour was to raise awareness about the deadly Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) disease. This disease had tragically taken many lives in the area.

During his recent “Thank you” tour in the region, President Mahama restated his promise. He committed to upgrading the War Memorial Hospital into a teaching hospital. This move aims to improve medical services and support training for medical professionals, as initially pledged during his campaign.

Professor Akoriyea expressed his deep attachment to the Navrongo War Memorial Hospital. He stated that a medical school at CKT-UTAS would equip the region with a capable healthcare workforce. This would address the community’s needs.

The D-G visited the War Memorial Hospital. They also toured the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital. The D-G was accompanied by the Regional Director of Health Services. Dr Samuel Boakye-Boateng joined them, along with other senior health personnel from Accra. During their visit, they generously donated medical equipment worth GH¢220,000.00 to the management, alongside the Dean of the School of Medical Sciences, CKT-UTAS, Prof. Juventus Ziem.

The items in question are as follows. They include a surgical gown, Rikair Flow­meter set, Pulse Oximeter, Bedsheets, KN 95, and Nose masks.

Additional items included a CPAP machine and a 5 LPM Oxygen concentrator. They also included a LumiraDX POCT Platform Instrument and LumiraDX HBAIC Test Strips. Additionally, there was a 5L Cardboard Sharp Container.

During his presentation of the items to management, Prof. Kaba pointed out the unfortunate reality that CSM patients have lost their lives due to insufficient funds for medicine.

He advised clowns working in hospitals and health centres to avoid selling the drugs.

He urged the chiefs, opinion leaders, and media to collaborate with health promotion officers. This collaboration aims to bolster awareness of the escalating issue of CSM.

Dr Abraham Titiga, the Medical Superintendent, expressed his gratitude. He thanked them for the medical consumables and equipment received on behalf of the hospital. He thanked the Director General for this kind gesture. He acknowledged that it would greatly assist in addressing some pressing challenges faced by the hospital.

During his visit to the Mental Health Unit at Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Prof. Akoriyea commended the staff for successfully fulfilling their duties despite resource constraints.

He pledged to address specific challenges hindering the smooth operation of healthcare facilities in the area. He urged healthcare providers to cultivate strong relationships with their patients during interactions.