Health Minister storms Ridge Hospital unannounced, dissatisfied with maintenance culture

Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh on Friday paid an unannounced visit to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, popularly known as Ridge Hospital, to assess its operations firsthand amid recent media reports on challenges within the facility.

During his inspection, the Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the hospital’s maintenance culture, particularly concerning critical imaging equipment.

He revealed that both the CT scan and MRI machines have been out of service for nearly two years, a situation he found unacceptable.

"I do not understand why hospitals, including district, regional, and teaching hospitals, cannot invest part of their internally generated funds into maintaining their facilities," Akandoh stated emphatically.

The visit, which focused heavily on the imaging department, exposed significant gaps in essential diagnostic services.

The Minister hinted at imminent policy interventions to address the longstanding maintenance issues affecting public hospitals.

His visit underscores the government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that essential medical equipment remains functional to serve patients effectively.

"I am very disappointed, especially at their maintenance culture"

"I wanted to see their washrooms and they were struggling to show me"

"Ridge is a very reputable facility and I am not too impressed with what I have come to see"

"If heads must roll, they will surely roll, don't worry "

Background

The Greater Accra Regional Hospital, also known as Ridge was one of the leading referral centers in Ghana.

However, concerns have been raised over its operational efficiency, particularly regarding medical equipment and patient care services.

The Minister’s surprise visit is expected to trigger urgent reforms in hospital management and resource allocation.

Way Forward

Mr. Akandoh assured that decisive actions would be taken to rectify the issues observed, emphasizing that healthcare facilities must prioritize maintenance to avoid service disruptions.

His visit adds to growing concerns about the state of medical equipment in Ghana’s health facilities, with calls for improved oversight and sustainable investment in healthcare

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith