By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, Dec 20, GNA – The Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) on Friday celebrated its dedicated and hardworking staff at an end-of-year thanksgiving service and awards night.
The hospital awarded 19 staff from the various departments and 11 retirees on Thursday night during the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols to usher in the Christmas festivities.
They were presented with plaques, citations and parcels.
Mr Abraham Ebo Gyasi of the Administration Directorate was adjudged the best junior support staff and overall best staff of the year.
Madam Sally Ntsiful, a retired Assistant Chief Technical Officer, was honoured posthumously.
Dr Eric Kofi Ngyedu, the Chief Executive Officer, and members of the hospital’s board and the Chairman, Ehunabobrim Prah Agyensaim VI, were awarded for their hard work.
Dr Ngyedu received the Board Chairman’s special award; the Ehunabobrim Prah Agyensaim VI Excellence Award, for his exceptional leadership and dedication to duty.
The staff and their families were treated to an elaborate dinner spiced with melodious carols by the hospital’s choir and live band music.
Dr Ngyedu commended the Board, Management and Staff for their commitment to duty, culminating in several accomplishments of the facility.
The hospital, this year, received expansion in its services through the establishment of laparoscopic services, which included the creation of a work lab and a simulation centre with support from the Korean Foundation of International Healthcare.
“I am happy to inform you that the facility undertook its first laparoscopic surgery yesterday (Wednesday, December 18),” he said.
Through collaborations with some medical missions, the facility provided 51 orthopaedic and 95 plastic surgeries, 735 cataract, 57 Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), and 54 cleft lip surgeries among other essential services free of charge.
The partnership also opened doors for the training of some doctors, deputy directors, and staff of the eye unit.
On infrastructure, Dr r Ngyedu said an ongoing ultramodern eye care surgical centre was about 75 per cent complete while the Accident and Emergency unit expansion project was 65 percent done.
The hospital had constructed a waste holding bay and commenced the construction of a maintenance workshop with funding from First Sky Construction Company Limited.
“Sets of equipment were received from the Ministry of Health to retool the hospital’s laundry unit and the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD).
“Critical care equipment were also received from the Ministry of Health,” he added.
Despite the achievements, the hospital continued to face many challenges, which impeded its smooth operations.
These include continuous encroachment on hospital lands, inadequate infrastructure, equipment, staff accommodation and transport, as well as high operational and overhead cost.
The absence of a standard neonatal intensive care unit is contributing to maternal and neonatal mortalities, he said.
“I am, however, excited about the journey ahead and know that 2025 will bring even greater opportunities for us.”
“So, let us keep pushing forward in same spirit of teamwork and be confident that together, we will continue to thrive and make meaningful impact.”
Ahunabobrim Agyinsam, the outgoing Board Chairman, who chaired the occasion, a applauded the staff and the board members for their dedication and expertise.
He noted that they had achieved a significant milestone through teamwork.
Delivering the homily, Right Reverend Richard Ampadu Duku, Bishop of the Central and Western Province, Victory Bible Church International, entreated Christians to be grateful in all situations.
“Let’s appreciate God for the many things he has done in our lives. In the midst of the negative things, there are a lot of positive things going for you to be thankful for.
“You may not have a spouse, but you have good health, good accommodation, and a good job,” he said.
“Learn to give repeated thanks to the Lord. There should be a flow of thanksgiving from our lips for the mercies of God in our lives.”
GNA