The government has commissioned the first dedicated eye surgical and training centre in the Central Region, a move aimed at reducing preventable blindness and improving access to specialist eye care.
The 33-bed Surgical Eye and Training Centre, located at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, was officially opened by Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah.
The facility is equipped with three modern operating theatres and is expected to serve not only the Central Region but also neighbouring regions as a referral hub.
For years, many patients in the region have had to travel long distances in search of specialised eye treatment. With the opening of the centre, services such as cataract and glaucoma management, refractive care and advanced posterior segment treatment will now be available closer to home.
Health officials believe this will ease both the financial and emotional burden on families seeking care.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah said cataract remains the leading cause of preventable blindness in Ghana. She noted that many patients are unable to access surgery on time, often due to cost or distance.
According to her, outreach programmes linked to the centre have already screened more than 90,000 people and treated over 9,000 eyes, a clear indication of the growing demand for eye care services.
She described the new facility as a major step towards ensuring that no Ghanaian loses their sight from conditions that can be treated.
The project received support from several partners, including USAID, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Cure Blindness Project.
Government support also came in the form of tax waivers and exemptions on donated medical equipment.
Commissioning the centre on behalf of the Government of Ghana, the Deputy Minister said the facility aligns with the National Eye Health Policy and the country’s broader goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.
She added that expanding specialist services at the regional level is critical to closing gaps in healthcare delivery and giving every Ghanaian a fair chance at quality treatment.
