Bolgatanga: Alhaji Alhassan Lawal, the Bolgatanga Municipal Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has called for the construction of a Municipal Hospital to alleviate the mounting pressure on the Upper East Regional Hospital. He highlighted the municipality's urgent need for a dedicated hospital to work alongside the Regional Hospital, which frequently faces overcrowding, especially in its Out-Patient Department (OPD).
According to Ghana News Agency, Alhaji Lawal emphasized that only specialized or higher-level cases should be referred to the Regional Hospital, allowing a new municipal facility to handle general healthcare needs. His appeal was made during the 2026 Mid-Year Performance Review Meeting of the GHS in Bolgatanga Municipality, themed 'Advancing Free Primary Health Care in Ghana: Strengthening Access, Equity and Quality Service Delivery.' This meeting allowed health service managers to evaluate their mid-year performance and strategize on improving healthcare delivery in the region.
Alhaji Lawal also urged regional media to intensify their advocacy for the establishment of a Municipal Hospital, pointing out the inadequate condition of the Bolgatanga Health Centre. Currently, the centre has only one medical officer for the entire municipality and lacks the capacity to serve the growing population or ease the burden on the Regional Hospital. He called on residents to prioritize this issue and actively advocate for the hospital's construction.
While plans to renovate the Bolgatanga Health Centre are in progress with support from the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly, Alhaji Lawal expressed concerns over limited land for future expansion. He noted that the Health Centre serves as the interim Municipal Hospital but is in dire need of improvements.
Supporting the call for a Municipal Hospital, Mr Sydney Ageyomah Abilba, the Regional Focal Person for Malaria and chair of the meeting, underscored the necessity for a dedicated municipal health facility. He stressed that the Regional Hospital, as a referral centre, should not be overwhelmed with minor conditions, emphasizing the importance of distinct primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services.
Mr Abilba also referenced the successful establishment of a Passport Office in the region through strong advocacy, suggesting that similar efforts could lead to the construction of the much-needed Municipal Hospital. He expressed confidence that with the support of local leaders and political commitment, a new hospital could be realized to address the healthcare needs of Bolgatanga's residents and relieve the burden on the Regional Hospital.