By Jones Anlimah
The Keta Municipal Hospital in the Volta Region has launched its centenary celebrations with a renewed call for investment to reposition the facility as a model secondary healthcare centre, in line with the centenary celebration theme: “A Century of Quality and Equitable Healthcare: Repositioning Keta Municipal Hospital for the Network Practice.”
At the launch, speakers praised the hospital’s century-long impact on healthcare delivery in Keta and beyond, with the recording of zero maternal deaths in recent years described as a remarkable milestone for the community.
The Medical Superintendent, Dr. Kofi Karikari Bonsu, outlined the hospital’s transformation from a modest clinical centre in 1926 into a major referral facility serving southern Volta and its environs. He noted that the hospital has consistently expanded its services, including renal dialysis, intensive care, reconstructive surgery, and specialist outreach programmes.
He highlighted major achievements such as the establishment of renal dialysis and intensive care services, the region’s first wound care unit, and recognition as the best hospital in the Volta Region in 2017. The hospital also serves as a training ground for medical and nursing students from Ghana and abroad.
Significantly, Dr. Bonsu disclosed that the hospital has recorded zero maternal deaths, describing it as a milestone that demonstrates the dedication of staff and the effectiveness of interventions by management. “Our institutional maternal mortality rate has reduced from 25 per 100,000 live births to zero. This is a reflection of the hospital’s commitment to quality and equitable healthcare,” he said, stressing the importance of sustained support to maintain these gains.
The Keta Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Wisdom Bondieu Seade, commended health professionals for their dedication, attributing the success in maternal health and disease detection to the commitment of staff. He highlighted the hospital’s role in identifying outbreaks such as COVID-19 before public health teams could intervene, underscoring its strategic importance to the municipality.
The Volta Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Emmanuel Atuhaire Boadu, described the hospital’s record of zero maternal deaths as “a benchmark for the entire region.” He assured that the Regional Health Directorate would continue to provide technical support, training, and partnerships to help sustain the achievement and extend similar outcomes across the Volta Region.
Prof. Lydia Aziato, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, urged the hospital to embrace innovation, equity, and international partnerships as it looks to the future. She called for stronger systems in staff recruitment, retention, and professional growth. “For the next century, we must focus on timeliness of service, fairness, and equity in healthcare delivery, while adopting innovations like telemedicine and digital health,” she said.
Despite its achievements, the hospital faces challenges, including inadequate equipment, limited staff accommodation, and ageing infrastructure. Management has therefore appealed for urgent support to upgrade the hospital with CT scan services, endoscopy facilities, and improved transportation for staff and outreach.
Traditional leaders, development partners, and philanthropists were also recognised for their contributions over the years. Management pledged that the centenary year would mark a new phase of transformation to ensure that the people of Keta and surrounding districts continue to receive quality, accessible, and life-saving care.
The centenary celebrations will feature medical outreach programmes, community health campaigns, and stakeholder engagements aimed at mobilising resources to strengthen healthcare delivery. Management expressed confidence that with stakeholder support, Keta Municipal Hospital will continue to be a beacon of quality healthcare for the next century.
