The continued delay in completing the Agenda 111 project has left the Wa East District without a hospital, raising concerns among stakeholders about the impact on healthcare delivery.

This was highlighted by the Member of Parliament for Daffiama-Bussie-Issa Constituency, Dr. Sebastian Sandaare, on the sidelines of the 2025 Annual Regional Health Sector Performance Review Meeting.

Despite the nationwide rollout of the initiative, Wa East remains one of several districts without a hospital or polyclinic, forcing residents—particularly pregnant women and emergency cases—to travel long distances to access care.

Dr. Sandaare, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, argued that the challenges confronting districts like Wa East could have been avoided with a more strategic, phased implementation approach.

“Instead, the decision to simultaneously commence all 111 hospital projects across the country has resulted in widespread delays, with many of the facilities at various stages of completion,” he said.

According to him, prioritising a limited number of hospitals in selected regions, including the Upper West Region, would have helped address critical gaps earlier before expanding the project nationwide.

He added that beyond the delays, the approach has placed considerable financial pressure on the state, with resources spread thinly across multiple incomplete projects.

“This has slowed progress and reduced efficiency in delivering essential healthcare infrastructure,” he noted.

For residents of Wa East, the consequences remain severe. The absence of a hospital continues to affect maternal and child health outcomes, emergency response times, and overall access to quality healthcare.

The situation in the district is increasingly being cited as an example of how an over-ambitious nationwide rollout without phased execution can delay tangible benefits and leave vulnerable populations without critical services.

Dr. Sandaare called for a reassessment of the implementation strategy, urging authorities to prioritise the completion of selected facilities, particularly in districts like Wa East, where the need is most urgent.

Source: Citi FM