Almost every Accra resident knows “37”. It is a hospital, a bus stop, a traffic junction and a landmark on the road between the airport and the city centre. Few know that its name comes from a wartime military unit.
Wartime origins
The hospital was established in 1941 by a British military officer, General George Giffard, to treat troops injured in the Second World War. Soldiers from the Gold Coast served in the war, including in East Africa and Burma.
The number
The hospital began as 37 General Hospital, a numbered military unit. At the same time, Giffard arranged a 52 Military Hospital at Takoradi, which was later moved to India.
A new name
In 1956, shortly before independence, it was renamed 37 Military Hospital of the Gold Coast. After 1957, it became part of the Ghana Armed Forces’ medical services.
Location
The hospital sits on the main road between Kotoka International Airport and central Accra. The surrounding area and the busy lorry station nearby are simply called “37”.
Soldiers and civilians
Although it is a military hospital, 37 treats civilians as well as service members and their families. For many Accra residents, it is one of the main referral hospitals.
Size
The hospital has around 500 beds and a range of specialist departments.
Trauma care
Its trauma and emergency services have a strong reputation. One travel guide described its trauma department as “the best in Accra”.
Teaching
The hospital is also a teaching hospital for postgraduate medical students, training specialists for the military and civilian health systems.
In emergencies
During major emergencies in Accra, 37 has played a central role. After the explosion and floods of June 2015, so many bodies were brought to the hospital that its morgue was overwhelmed.
Peacekeeping
Ghana is a major contributor to United Nations peacekeeping missions, and military medical staff trained and based at 37 support those deployments.
Getting there
The hospital is easy to reach by trotro or taxi, since “37” is a major stop on routes between the city centre, the airport area and the northern suburbs. Patients should bring identification and, where applicable, their health insurance card.
A number that became a place
Most hospitals are named after saints, founders or places. This one kept the number of a wartime unit, and the number became the name of a neighbourhood. When Accra residents say “drop me at 37”, they are quoting a piece of Second World War history.
