The management of the Business and Financial Times (B&FT) has paid a courtesy visit to the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in Accra, laying the groundwork for potential collaboration between the leading provider of relevant business information in Africa and the esteemed healthcare institution.
Discussions during the meeting centred on identifying areas of mutual benefit and cooperation, with a focus on delivering value to their respective customers and the broader public.
Dr. Daniel Anim, Director of Operations and Research at the B&FT, commended UGMC’s impressive facilities and emphasised the newspaper’s commitment not only to reporting news, but also to organising events that facilitate comprehensive discussions on economic issues.
He highlighted B&FT’s various initiatives, including the Ghana Economic Forum and Women in Business initiative, aimed at addressing business sustainability and promoting gender equality in the sector.
Dr. Anim underscored the importance of collaboration between B&FT and UGMC in fostering mutual understanding and appreciation.
For his part, Dr. Kwame Anim-Boamah, Chief Executive Officer of UGMC, echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of partnerships in driving institutional growth and strengthening the country’s economy.
He praised B&FT’s call for collaboration as a positive step forward and acknowledged the newspaper’s impact in the media sector, applauding its commitment to integrity and unbiased reporting.
Dr. Boamah provided insights into UGMC’s journey since its inception in July 2018, especially its expansion of services and challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite obvious obstacles, he said UGMC continues to provide specialist care and is exploring options to accept public insurance, such as the National Health Insurance.
Barbara Owusu-Hemeng, Head of Client Services and Public Relations at UGMC, outlined the facility’s key areas of focus, including patient care, training and simulation and research.
US$5m clinical trials project
The UGMC, together with MDS Lancet Laboratory, is set to establish a cutting-edge clinical trials unit. The total cost of operationalizing the clinical trials unit is US$5million.
The authorities of the facility believe corporate Ghana can come onboard and support in that regard.
The clinical trials unit is set to play a crucial role in testing new medicines and treatments in the local environment, specifically focusing on Africans. Notably, there is currently a lack of such advanced laboratory facilities in sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of South Africa, Ms. Owusu-Hemeng noted.
Beyond facilitating clinical trials, the laboratory will also enhance patient care through improved monitoring of medications and genetic studies. This advancement is expected to benefit the country by ensuring access to state-of-the-art healthcare services.
The initiative underscores UGMC’s commitment to providing innovative healthcare solutions and addressing the healthcare needs of the local population.
In addition to the clinical trials unit, UGMC is also seeking assistance in acquiring essential medical equipment, such as incubators and ventilators, to further enhance operational efficiency and patient care.
Judith Asiamah, Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services, and Abraham Asare-Bediako, Director of Technical and Support Services – both from UGMC, were present during the discussion.
Accompanying the Director of Operations and Research from BFT were Rhoda Mensah-Ankrah, Head of Human Resources and Benson Arthur, IT Manager.
