Residents of Weija Gbawe in the Greater Accra Region have staged a protest over the prolonged closure of a completed Children’s Specialist Hospital, demanding that it be put into immediate use.
The demonstrators took to the streets on Tuesday, May 2, dressed in red and black, and carried placards with various messages calling for action. They expressed frustration that the facility, completed about two years ago, remains unused despite growing healthcare needs in the area.
According to the protesters, the delay is limiting access to quality medical care for children, placing pressure on nearby health facilities and, in some cases, contributing to preventable deaths.
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Some residents also raised concerns about missed job opportunities, especially for trained health professionals, as the hospital continues to remain unused.
Residents and protesters are calling on the government to urgently operationalise a completed children’s hospital, citing its potential to ease pressure on existing health facilities and improve access to specialised paediatric care.
In interviews, demonstrators shared personal frustrations over the facility’s continued closure. One protester, a pharmacy graduate, said the situation has left many qualified professionals without opportunities.
“I’m here because I want this facility to be opened. I studied pharmacy and now I’m at home without a job. If this hospital starts operating, it will create opportunities for us to work and serve patients,” the protester said.
Another resident highlighted the difficulties families face when seeking specialised care for children, particularly the long travel times and heavy traffic involved in reaching alternative facilities.
“Our children are suffering. Sometimes the journey to access a children’s hospital is too stressful because of traffic. We are appealing to the government to intervene and open this place,” the resident said.
A third protester insisted the hospital is fully equipped and ready for use, questioning the delay in making it operational.
“The facility was completed about two years ago. I’ve been inside and everything is in place. Even the environment is suitable for healing, so it’s hard to understand why it is still not in use,” the protester noted.
The Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, also expressed concern, describing the situation as unacceptable.
He said the 120-bed facility is fully equipped with essential infrastructure, including a CT scanner, laboratories, three operating theatres and a mother’s hostel, yet remains idle.
“It’s worrying. We are spending money to maintain equipment and keep the facility running without using it, while lives are being affected,” he said.
Mr Shaib recounted visiting a nearby hospital where a patient had to receive oxygen while seated due to a lack of beds, despite the availability of the completed facility.
“This is a fully equipped hospital with a 120-bed capacity. There is no justification for it not being operational,” he added.
He also cautioned against politicising the issue, stressing that healthcare delivery should take priority over partisan interests.
Residents are now urging authorities to fast-track the commissioning of the hospital to improve healthcare access for children and reduce the burden on existing facilities.