Whatsup News has learnt the abandoned University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has increased its staff strength and will soon scale up operations.
According to reports, this may take place as early as November 2019. About 181 medical and support staff who have so far been added to the initial 142, have been taken through a simulation exercise.
The quaternary medical and research centre will now include general surgery, cardiology, urology, emergency medicine, gastroenterology and dermatology, imaging and radiology, medical laboratory, pharmacy and ophthalmology to its services.
Last year Parliament approved $50million loan for the completion of the second phase expected to be completed by December next year. When fully operational, hospital will be equipped with a VIP maternity and a private floor, cardiovascular and open-heart surgery unit and a neurosurgery unit.
The 650-bed facility which was built by the erstwhile John Mahama administration was commissioned and ready for use before the NDC handed over power to the NPP. But just like the Bank of Ghana Hospital and other completed health projects, it was abandoned till a medical student of the University of Ghana embarrassed the first Lady, Rebecca Akufo at an event, in a one-man protest,an action which eventually compelled government to partially open the facility for specialized services.