The Medical Superintendent of the Takoradi Hospital, Dr. George Peprah, has issued a pressing appeal to the government, urging swift intervention to complete the stalled Accident and Emergency Centre project and establish an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the hospital.
According to Dr. Peprah, the lack of these critical facilities has led to avoidable deaths, forcing medical staff to manage life-threatening cases with outdated infrastructure and limited resources.
“We are struggling with cases that require intensive monitoring, but without an ICU, our ability to provide life-saving care is severely compromised. The whole Western Region does not have an intensive care unit, and this is a major concern.”
Takoradi Hospital, built in 1929 under colonial rule to serve workers constructing the Takoradi Harbour, has remained largely unchanged despite its elevated role as Sekondi-Takoradi’s main referral facility.
While minor renovations and a doctor’s quarters built during former President Mahama’s administration have helped maintain parts of the hospital, structural cracks and high maintenance costs continue to pose challenges.
The hospital’s recovery room, which serves as a substitute for an ICU, is grossly inadequate, offering only three beds for patients needing stabilization before being moved to general wards.
Dr. Peprah emphasized, “we need a larger recovery unit with more beds,”. “Sometimes, emergency cases overlap, surgeons and obstetricians are forced to manage simultaneous life-threatening situations without sufficient space or resources.”
He mentioned that, beyond infrastructure concerns, staffing shortages remain critical.
Dr. Peprah further indicated that, the hospital requires nearly 50% more personnel to operate a fully functional 24-hour emergency care system.
“We are doing our best, but the demand far outweighs what our current staff can handle”.
With the Accident and Emergency Centre project abandoned since 2008, Dr. Peprah and hospital authorities are renewing calls for government support.
They stress that completing the centre and equipping the hospital with an ICU will drastically improve emergency healthcare services and reduce preventable deaths in Ghana’s vital oil and gas enclave.
“The time to act is now. Lives depend on it, ”Dr. Peprah urged.
