The Hospital successfully launched its 100-year anniversary celebration yesterday, calling on Ghanaians and the world at large to join in celebrating and appreciating 100 years of training, research, advocacy, partnerships and excellent healthcare delivery.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Madam Tina Gifty Naa Ayeley Mensah, while launching the beginning of the year-long celebrations, congratulated Management, the Board, Retirees, staff and all stakeholders for their efforts since the Hospital’s establishment on October 9, 1923.
She indicated that the establishment of Korle Bu marked the beginning of the development of many professions in the field of healthcare in Ghana, such as medicine, nursing, laboratory science, among others.
She added that professionals trained in Korle Bu were largely posted to different parts of the country to set up new hospitals and health facilities, and hence, the impact created is felt across the country.
The Minister recounted some projects completed and assured the hospital of the Government’s commitment to complete ongoing ones to enable Korle Bu continue to play a leading role in healthcare delivery.
“By default, Korle Bu receives a different number of patients from other countries within the West African sub-region such as Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Liberia, Benin, Burkina Faso, among others. These international patients need to come to Korle Bu because of the expertise of the trained personnel and specialized facilities”, the Minister noted.
The Board Chairman of the Hospital, Dr. David Nkansa-Dwamena, in his address said that despite government support in ensuring efficient healthcare services, individuals and corporate Ghana should throw their support toward improving the infrastructural challenges of the hospital.
“We are therefore calling on Parliament and other agencies to speed up the request for the passage of the law on tissue donation, harvesting and storage of various organs that will save the lives of thousands of Ghanaians who are sick and in need of help”, the Board Chairman appealed.
Dr. Dwamena-Nkansa emphasized that the ultimate aim of the board is to position the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital as a medical tourism hub. He congratulated all past government officials, management, and staff for their efforts, which have contributed to making Korle Bu such a formidable force in the delivery of specialized care in Ghana.
“I urge all staff to rededicate ourselves to excellence and the introduction of new procedures to help maintain Korle Bu as a leading force in the provision of healthcare in the West Africa Sub-Region”, the Board Chair urged.
The Hospital’s Chief Executive, Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, outlined a series of activities planned for the year-long celebrations. The activities, dubbed “100 ways of celebrating 100 years”, starts on October 9, 2023, and will end in September 2024 with a Thanksgiving Service.
The yearlong celebration is under the theme: “Hundred years of leadership in quality healthcare delivery, through training, research, innovation, and partnerships. 100 years of memories, 100 years of saving lives, 100 years of groundbreaking interventions, 100 years of innovation, and the depth of training quality personnel.”
The Anniversary logo and Short code (*713*100#) for revenue mobilization toward the celebration were also unveiled.
The launch was attended by some past board members, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), directors, deputy directors, staff and other invited guests. There were also present current and past board chairmen and members. Notable among the past CEOs were Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Dr. Henry Holdbrook-Smith, Professor Nii Otu Nartey and Dr. Ben BDRT Annan.
