Ghana's Vice President and Chair of the Public Accountability Committee of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), Ing Dr Patrick Amoah Bekoe, has sounded the alarm on the country's poor health infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. He made the call during a recent appearance on the Joy FM Super Morning Show, where he highlighted the dire need for government attention to improve access to quality healthcare.
Ambulance Shortage Exposed
Ing Dr Amoah Bekoe revealed that Ghana's ambulance-to-population ratio is a staggering 1:84,000, with one ambulance serving approximately 84,000 people. This, he said, reflects the country's poor health infrastructure and its inability to provide reliable access to essential healthcare services, particularly in rural communities. The engineer noted that this situation is a direct consequence of the government's failure to prioritize health infrastructure at the lower tier of the healthcare system.
Doctor-to-Patient Ratio Falls Short
According to Ing Dr Amoah Bekoe, Ghana's doctor-to-patient ratio is also below the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard. This, he argued, is a critical issue that needs urgent attention, as it directly affects the quality of healthcare services available to the population. He emphasized that the government's immediate focus should be on strengthening health facilities at the lower tier, as these facilities serve as the first point of care for a large proportion of the population.
Infrastructure Challenges Run Deep
Ing Dr Amoah Bekoe attributed Ghana's infrastructure challenges to a combination of factors, including poor management of available resources and a lack of funding. However, he stressed that the more pressing issue is how the available funds are prioritized and managed. He noted that the country's culture of allowing existing public assets to deteriorate before replacing them with new ones is a significant contributor to the problem. This, he said, is evident in the country's sports infrastructure, where many stadiums have been left to deteriorate before new ones are constructed.
Prioritizing Maintenance Key to Sustainability
Ing Dr Amoah Bekoe called for a deliberate shift towards preserving existing public assets, arguing that maintenance offers a more sustainable way of managing limited public resources. He emphasized that asset preservation is crucial for the country's development and that the GhIE has recommended the establishment of a council to ensure ministries, departments, and agencies consistently prioritize maintenance when planning and implementing infrastructure projects.
What's Next for Ghana's Health Infrastructure?
Ing Dr Amoah Bekoe's warnings come at a critical time, as the government is set to unveil its plans to improve the country's health infrastructure. While details of the plan are still scarce, Ing Dr Amoah Bekoe's comments have highlighted the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the country's infrastructure challenges. As Ghana looks to improve its healthcare services, one thing is clear: prioritizing health infrastructure at the lower tier and investing in maintenance are crucial steps towards achieving this goal. Only time will tell if the government will heed Ing Dr Amoah Bekoe's call for action.
Source: Joy Online
