The Parliamentary Select Committee on Health has recommended upgrading the Upper West Regional Hospital into a teaching hospital, citing its existing infrastructure and potential to address medical training gaps in northern Ghana.
The suggestion came after committee members toured the facility to assess its suitability for the expanded role.
Committee Chairman Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie praised the hospital’s nearly 300-bed capacity and range of specialized units, which he said meet the basic requirements for a teaching institution. “This hospital has all it takes to become a teaching facility,” he told journalists during the visit. He acknowledged some operational challenges, including equipment malfunctions and staffing shortages, but noted that hospital management had pledged swift repairs.
Staffing emerged as a key concern, with the committee urging the Health Ministry to fast-track approvals for new hires. The hospital, like many in Ghana’s northern regions, faces a chronic shortage of medical professionals, which could hinder its transition to a teaching institution. Despite these challenges, lawmakers commended the hospital’s efficient use of internally generated funds to maintain operations and improve facilities.
The inspection also highlighted critical gaps in diagnostic equipment. With only one functioning PCR machine, the hospital remains ill-equipped to handle potential meningitis outbreaks, a recurring threat in the region. The committee stressed the urgent need for additional testing capacity and specialized pediatric equipment, such as dialysis machines.
A formal report detailing these findings will be submitted to the Health Minister, following consultations with parliamentary leadership. The proposal, if approved, could mark a significant step toward decentralizing medical education in Ghana, where teaching hospitals are currently concentrated in the south.
Expanding medical training infrastructure in the north has long been discussed as a way to improve healthcare access and retain skilled professionals in underserved regions. However, past initiatives have often stalled due to funding constraints and bureaucratic delays. The committee’s recommendation places renewed focus on regional equity in Ghana’s health sector development, though its implementation will depend on sustained government commitment and resource allocation.
