The Chief Executive Officer of the Interim Management for the operationalization of the University of Ghana Medical Centre [UGMC] Mr. Darius Osei, has revealed that plans are in place to address issues relating to the mode of entry into the newly opened hospital.
[contextly_sidebar id=”PNNbahfC3zoaJfN29luuNvbSLMrYPYfw”]Responding to a question by #OpenUGMC now lead campaigner, Reginald Sekyi-Brown on the approved routes to enter the University after the commercialization of some routes by the University at the opening of the UGMC centre, Dr. Osei explained that the matter will be amicably resolved by the time the second phase of the hospital is completed.
“If you watch critically there are three major access to this facility. The second phase will take care of those aspects, but for now we will advise you to use the Okponglo route.”
He further advised patients who will be patronizing the hospital to use the ‘Okponglo’ main gate when coming to the hospital.
National Security Operatives demolish UG toll booth
In February 2014, National Security operatives pulled down a tollbooth that was being erected by the University of Ghana to collect road tolls from motorists entering the university.
The then National Security Coordinator, Col. Larry Gbevlo Lartey (retd.) said the university authorities had no right to put up the tollbooth at the Okponglo section of the road leading to the university campus.
Justifying his action at that time, Col. Larry Gbevlo Lartey (retd) explained that the toll booth structure was being built on Ghanaian soil and as then National security coordinator, he did not see the need for the University management to commercialize the University.
Though the decision to mount a toll booth riled the public, the University had it way after a series of court hearings.
Three toll booths, one situated at the Achimota entrance of the University, and two others at the Madina- Atomic entrance were mounted.
UG Medical Centre finally opens
After months of controversy, the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has been officially opened as Ghana’s first Quaternary centre.
This follows a media campaign led by Citi FM and the Ghanaian public who demanded that the multi-million dollar facility, commissioned by a former President John Mahama several months ago is operationalized.
The facility, which was initially scheduled to open in November 2017, was kept locked to the public due to a tussle between the Minister of Health and the University of Ghana over who manages the $217 million facility.
The government however announced the opening date after persistent outrage. It will now be managed by both government and the University, with an interim Chief Executive Officer who’s part of the ten-member management committee.
Citi News’ Caleb Kudah, who was at the opening ceremony reported that about twenty generalist staff are currently at the facility, ready to attend to patients referred there.
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By: Jude Mensa Duncan/citinewsroom.com/Ghana