President Mahama, Health Minister must ensure opening of completed specialised children’s hospital – Weija-Gbawe MP

The Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has renewed calls for the urgent operationalisation of a fully completed specialist children’s hospital in his constituency, appealing directly to President John Mahama and the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.

Speaking during an appearance on The Pulse on Tuesday, May 5, the MP expressed deep frustration over what he described as an unjustifiable delay in opening the facility, despite it being fully equipped and ready for use.

According to Mr. Shaib, the continued closure of the hospital is having serious consequences for residents in Weija-Gbawe and surrounding communities. He stressed that the lack of access to specialised pediatric healthcare is putting children’s lives at risk, while also worsening unemployment among trained healthcare professionals who could be working at the facility.

“It’s a terrible situation, and we are calling on the President and the Minister of Health to ensure that the facility is opened,” he stated.

The hospital, which boasts a 120-bed capacity, is fitted with modern medical infrastructure designed to provide advanced healthcare services for children. Mr. Shaib highlighted that the facility includes fully functional diagnostic equipment such as CT scanners, X-ray machines, and other essential technologies.

He further revealed that the hospital also features a dedicated mother’s hostel to accommodate families, enhancing patient care and comfort. Notably, he explained that some equipment, including the CT scanner, is already being powered continuously to maintain its operational condition.

Despite these preparations, the facility remains unused—a situation the MP strongly criticised. He argued that political considerations should not hinder the commissioning of critical public infrastructure, especially in the health sector.

Mr. Shaib questioned the logic behind leaving such a significant investment idle while many communities continue to struggle with inadequate healthcare services. He called for a shift away from partisan politics toward prioritising the wellbeing of citizens.

“You do not understand why this facility is just lying there unused. We need to save lives and move away from politics,” he emphasized.

The MP also pointed out that the issue is not isolated to Weija-Gbawe, noting that several completed but uncommissioned health facilities across Ghana remain dormant. He insisted that these projects must be activated to serve their intended purpose and deliver value to the public.

Residents of Weija-Gbawe have echoed these concerns, staging protests and consistently demanding the hospital’s immediate opening. Many believe that operationalising the facility would significantly reduce congestion at nearby hospitals and improve access to specialised pediatric care in the area.

With growing public pressure and increasing demand for improved healthcare services, stakeholders are urging swift government action to ensure the hospital begins operations without further delay.