The controversial University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) will have a special training for its staff, trainee doctors and nurses as well corporate institutions ahead of the full-time operation.
The first phase of the UGMC was constructed and commissioned in 2016 during the Mahama administration at a cost of $217 million.
However, it was closed for several months in what became a turf war between the Akufo-Addo-led NPP government and officials of University of Ghana.
This resulted in the Ministry of Health issuing a directive for a takeover of the administration of the hospital “in the public interest”.
But officials of the University of Ghana resisted the attempt.
Subsequently, Health Minister Kweku Agyemang Manu said the facility was not ready for use, citing the absence of some facilities including a generator.
Following public protests, the ultra-modern health facility was opened for public use on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 only as a referral centre and has since operated as such.
Speaking to 3news.com, Director of the Simulation and Training Centre of UGMC Professor Aaron Lawson said steps, including training, are being taken to make the hospital a walk-in facility.
“By the 1st of November, the place will be fully setup for training. We have an arrangement with some people from the American Heart Association Foundation. They will be coming in September to train in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation,” he said.
“For a new hospital of this calibre, you need to go about things slowly and peak at the appropriate time. So patients have been trickling in.”
He explained that the training will be segmented into two phases for staff, students and other members of the corporate world that will be interested.
“We will have two levels of training. We have the pre-service training that is for undergraduates of University of Ghana College of Sciences and from other training institution within the country and beyond as well as training of practising health professionals that is post-graduate training,’, he said.
This, he believes, will inculcate in participants the needed skills to render their services effectively when they go out there.
Head of UGMC Customer and Public Relations Barbara Owusu-Hemeng also added that the training will equip participants, especially those from the corporate entities with basic life-support skills in order to help reduce preventable deaths in the country.
She observed that some of death cases recorded on roads could be prevented if everyone had adequate knowledge and skill on the appropriate in First Aid.
By Josephine Aku Selorm Gator & Juliet Etefe|3news.com|Ghana