Energy Minister urges VRA Health Services to embrace innovation

By Ernest Bako WUBONTO

The Minister of State at the Energy Ministry, Herbert Krapa, has called on Volta River Authority (VRA) Health Services Limited (VHSL) to focus on innovation and technological advancement while shaping its future strategy.

Speaking at the Diamond Jubilee anniversary commemoration ceremony of VHSL at Akosombo in the Eastern Region, the minister emphasised that healthcare delivery has moved into the dimension of preventive care underpinned by innovation and advancement in technology – hence the need to adopt and shift toward that direction.

He further commended the organisation for its resilience and transformative exploits over the past six decades, metamorphosing from just a staff infirmary to a fully-fledged hospital with three other subsidiaries.

“What you have done is a testament that the Ghanaian is capable of managing transformation. I  urge you to continue looking to innovation and technology as the cornerstone of the work you will be doing in the coming 60 years – because healthcare has evolved more into preventive solutions, and anchored with that is technology and innovation.

“You have not only survived 60 years, but have become a pivot in healthcare delivery across the country; and for that, government and the Ghanaian people are very proud of you. Remarkably, you have moved from a facility that provided healthcare only for staff to become a national competitor – and that must be celebrated,” he said.

“I believe that in your next 60 years, your best is yet to come – and innovation will be the celebration story,” he asserted.

VHSL commemorated its Diamond Jubilee anniversary with a colourful ceremony to reflect on the remarkable milestone chalked up by a healthcare institution that has become a beacon of hope for communities in the Asuogyaman district and beyond.

The eye-catching ceremony, brightened by the royal traditional council of Asuogyaman traditional area, was further graced by a symbolic sod-cutting exercise for a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Ward; demonstrating VRA Health Services’ commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure and services to the Eastern, Volta Region and beyond.

Medical Director-VRA Akosombo, Dr. Kwabena Yeboah, speaking at the commemoration event emphasised that the institution’s importance and the lives it has touched in the country over the past six decades cannot be overemphasised. Therefore, as it celebrates 60 years of touching lives with quality healthcare, management pays tribute to the founding fathers and past management members who played vital roles in sustaining the vision and looking into the future with a new sense of purpose and dedication.

VRA Board Chairperson, Kofi Tutu Asare, highlighted that the ceremony is not a mere celebration of six decades but a testament to endurance, commitment, resilience and compassion that has defined the journey from a humble beginning as an infirmary for staff to a becoming beacon of healthcare.

“Our first hospital, VRA Akosombo, from a small facility of 14 beds has evolved to become a full-fledged hospital under various leadership along with dedicated staff who turned the vision into a reality, extending reach and impact beyond Akosombo to other operational areas,” he said.

He added that the VHSL network, including facilities in Accra and Aboadze, continues to grow and adapt by adding new services with advanced technologies year-on-year.

Chief Executive-VRA, Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, mentioned that the Akosombo hospital that started in 1964 has been extensively retooled with ultra-modern equipment such as mammogram machines, digital X-ray, high-resolution ultrasound machines and modern laboratory equipment among others

“The Akosombo hospital has not only become a referral centre in the Asuogyaman district but also serves as a specialised medical training facility for training professionals from academia and staff,” he said.

The VHSL main hospital at Akosombo has three subsidiaries in Accra, Akuse and Aboadze. However, in the Asuogyaman district where Akosombo is located, the private facility has served as the de facto district hospital for the past six decades.

VHSL hospitals provide a wide range of medical services including in-patient, outpatient and specialist services to the general public in their respective communities, and are committed to expanding in operational specialties; hence the sod-cutting exercise to bring on board a NICU and Pediatric unit.

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