A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Bio-statistics School of Public Health University of Ghana, Dr. Justice Moses Aheto, has cautioned government to focus its energy at stopping spread of the Corona Virus rather than shifting attention to the building of more health facilities.
In his view the vision of the President to build 88 district hospitals, three infectious disease centers and 6 new regional hospitals are laudable initiatives but the timing is wrong.
Speaking on GBC’s Current Affairs Programme ‘FOCUS’, Dr. Justice Aheto said the current challenge is for doctors and all front-line health workers to get adequate PPE’s to fight the Coronavirus.
He indicated that the one-year period given by the President is captured in the 2020 budget therefore there was no financial commitment to these projects.
He said President Akufo-Addo should immediately open those hospitals which have been completed for use before focusing on building new ones.
Responding to Dr. Aheto, Deputy Minister for Information Pius Hadzide said the 88 district hospitals are not meant to accommodate those who have contracted the Corona Virus.
He said the fact that government is dealing with COVID 19 does not mean no new projects should be undertaken.
The Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhaji Alhassan Suhuyini, said the President was politicizing with his pronouncement to build 88 district hospitals and six regional hospitals.
