The expansion of Walewale Government Hospital in the Northeast Region will include a new Trauma and Emergency Centre, according to President John Mahama’s recent announcement.
The President’s recent healthcare agenda, revealed at a community engagement in Nalerigu, focuses on improving infrastructure in underserved regions as part of his commitment to prioritise healthcare.
However, there has also been controversy surrounding its apparent disregard for a significant hospital venture established by former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
“We are seeking funding for the expansion of the Walewale Municipal Hospital,” President Mahama said.
“We want to add a trauma and emergency centre to take responsibility for any accidents that happen on the Tamale–Bolga road corridor.”
In addition, he announced initiatives to enhance the current infrastructure at Walewale Hospital, including improving staff housing and upgrading the water system to support the new emergency centre.
The revelation has provoked worries about the future of a previous, comparable endeavour spearheaded by Dr Bawumia.
The development in question was a 100-bed specialised hospital located near Loagri along the Tamale-Walewale-Bolgatanga road. The funding for this project was provided by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), and it was initiated in 2019.
Initially scheduled for completion in 2020, the project was unfortunately put on hold, resulting in its current state of abandonment.
The hospital, spearheaded by Bawumia, was furnished with contemporary facilities, including a pharmacy, physiotherapy department, general laboratory, radiology lab, eye and dental clinics, Clinical Specialists Unit, operating theatre, ICU, obstetrics and gynaecology unit, medical wards, mortuary services, central sterilisation unit, laundry room, dining hall and state-of-the-art medical equipment.
