GH¢3m ICU fund launched for Western Region

The Western Regional Coordinating Council has launched a GH¢3 million fund to establish the first Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the Western Region.

The initiative is aimed at addressing the critical health needs and reducing preventable deaths linked to the absence of such a facility at the region's main hospital.

The initiative, which is being spearheaded by the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, is in response to media highlights on the lack of an ICU at the Takoradi Hospital and, by extension, across the entire region.

When the project takes off and is completed, it will provide specialised care for critically ill patients and strengthen emergency response capacity in the Western Region.

Collective responsibility

Mr Nelson, at the launch of the fund, said the ICU would be situated at the Takoradi Hospital, which was the main referral facility in the region.

He described as unfortunate the lack of such a critical healthcare facility in the region, which could proudly boast of playing a significant role in the country's economic development.

He thus emphasised the need for the region to come together to bridge this gap, stating that not all health interventions could wait for the central government’s support.

“This is something I should lead for all of us to contribute to its establishment. I am doing the basic thing that is required of me as minister for the region.

So, when we look back, at least we have something that will be handy in our region.

“From Asankrangwa to Shama, if anybody needs it, they know that it is available and they can access it. It is not so much about me, but I need to provide for society,” he said.

Contribute

The minister appealed to individuals, organisations and corporate bodies in the region, particularly mining and oil companies, to support the initiative.

“The call here is to everybody who will be able to contribute. We have many corporations in the region, including mines, oil and others.

If they come on board, we will get this done in no time,” he added.