The Pantang Hospital in Accra has appealed to the government to use its 50th anniversary celebration to redevelop the facility into a modern specialised centre for mental health services, serving patients from Ghana and across West Africa.
This is because the hospital’s ageing structures, built during Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s era, have become expensive to maintain and strain its limited finances.
Also, the poor road network condition leading to and within the hospital compounds the challenges faced by staff and patients seeking medical care.
Negative impact
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Yennusom Maalug, stated that the situation was negatively impacting the hospital and its operations.
“We are appealing to President John Dramani Mahama to cause a redesign and building of a modern facility for the Pantang Hospital to serve as a legacy for the next 50 years.
“And so, as we are 50 years old, we need to have a new modern facility built during the golden jubilee,” he said.
Challenges
He explained that the structures at the Pantang Hospital were now more than 50 years old, reflecting their long history and the challenges of ageing infrastructure.
Dr Maalug said the hospital was part of Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s grand vision, as he initiated the construction of both Pantang and Ankaful mental health facilities.
He said that while Ankaful was completed and inaugurated in 1965, the coup d’état cut short plans for Pantang, which was envisioned as a Pan-African centre for mental health care and psychiatric research for the sub-region.
He said the original vision was never fully realised, as political instability stalled the project for years.
Inauguration
The director stated that it was not until 1972, under General Acheampong, that parts of the hospital were completed, leading to the official inauguration of the Pantang Hospital in 1975.
He said the hospital spent significant money on regular maintenance and renovations, as the ageing infrastructure constantly required repairs to remain functional.
Dr Maalug said the road network leading to the hospital and the inner roads within the facility were in a deplorable state, making access difficult for patients and staff.
“In addition to its core mandate of providing psychiatric services, the hospital also operates a maternity unit, offering comprehensive care to expectant mothers alongside mental health treatment,” he said.
He said the jolting and stress of travelling on poorly maintained roads could exacerbate pregnancy-related discomforts and trigger adverse outcomes.
Cost of maintenance
Dr Maalug stated that the buildings in question had surpassed five decades, necessitating substantial expenditure on upkeep and repairs.
He said routine maintenance tasks, such as electrical and plumbing fixes and other essential services, had become increasingly costly and complex.
Given their advanced age, he said that addressing issues such as electrical faults often required comprehensive interventions such as complete rewiring to ensure safety and functionality.
“For structures approaching or exceeding 60 years, consistent and proactive maintenance is crucial to preserve their utility and integrity.
