Ashanti Regional Minister urges immediate opening of Sewua and Afari Military hospitals to prevent costly equipment expirations
Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah has expressed concerns over the prolonged delays in opening the Sewua and Afari Military hospitals, warning that postponements could lead to costly maintenance issues due to the limited lifespan of installed equipment.
Osei-Mensah pointed out that warranties on much of the equipment could expire if the hospitals are not opened soon, potentially increasing the state’s expenses for repairs or replacements. The 250-bed Sewua Hospital and the 500-bed Afari Military Hospital have missed several completion deadlines, and further delays could impact operational readiness.
Speaking at a government forum in Kumasi on Friday, November 8, where he outlined achievements in the Ashanti Region, Osei-Mensah highlighted the importance of commissioning these hospitals to provide essential healthcare services and alleviate the burden on existing facilities like Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
“These facilities need to start serving patients as soon as possible,” he stated. “The Sewua Regional Hospital, with a 250-bed capacity, and the Afari Military Hospital, with a 500-bed capacity, are complete. Sewua is awaiting completion of the access road, which is now in its final stages, expected to be ready within weeks. For Afari, challenges with the sewerage system have been resolved.”
The Minister stressed that operationalizing the hospitals promptly will prevent warranty expiration on equipment, thereby avoiding unnecessary replacement costs for the government.
