By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, April 25, GNA — President John Dramani Mahama on Friday inspected ongoing construction works on the La General Hospital redevelopment project in Accra.
The project, initiated by the previous government, involves the construction of a new six-storey, 126-bed hospital facility to replace the demolished La General Hospital.
The project experienced several years of delays, including a halt in June 2025 due to funding challenges, but work resumed in early 2026, with completion scheduled for November 2027.
Speaking after the inspection tour, President Mahama urged the contractor to ensure the project was completed within the stipulated deadline.
“I thank the contractor for a good job. The hospital is progressing quite well, and we want to make sure the work does not stall but continues and is delivered on schedule,” he said.
“The contractor has assured us that by November 2027, we should be able to commission this hospital.”
President Mahama said the redevelopment of the La General Hospital was crucial, noting that following its demolition, patients were redirected to Ridge Hospital, LEKMA Hospital and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, thereby overstretching those facilities.
He said the new hospital would provide about 160 additional beds to ease congestion in Accra’s healthcare system.
“Currently, people complain that during emergencies they cannot get beds, so the La General Hospital will add more bed capacity to address that challenge,” he said.
President Mahama announced that the contract for the Police Hospital had been terminated and would be re-awarded to ensure early completion and additional bed space.
“In the meantime, Accra is a fast-growing city, and its population demands quality healthcare. We will do everything possible to complete these projects for the benefit of our people,” he added.
The President said discussions were underway with the Minister of Health to address the persistent challenge of emergency bed shortages, particularly at night.
He said the emergency centre built at Burma Camp during the COVID-19 pandemic would be repurposed to handle emergency cases exclusively.
“If a patient in an emergency situation is unable to gain admission at other hospitals, the emergency centre at Burma Camp will come to the rescue,” he said.
President Mahama explained that emergency doctors and nurses would be stationed at the facility to stabilise patients before transferring them to regular hospitals.
He said the intervention was aimed at preventing avoidable deaths resulting from the no-bed syndrome.
President Mahama also referred to the recent launch of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, which he said would help reduce hospital admissions through preventive care.
“The programme focuses on prevention by checking blood pressure and sugar levels, offering free breast cancer screening and other services to detect diseases early,” he said.
“With early detection, people will not need hospitalisation, thereby easing pressure on health facilities and health workers.”
Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, said the La General Hospital, when completed, would serve more than 150,000 residents from La, Osu and Teshie.
He said the facility would significantly reduce the burden on Ridge Hospital and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah