For many patients who walk through the doors of the Upper West Regional Hospital in Wa, the faces they encounter are often a source of hope during some of their most difficult moments.
Behind every emergency response, every successful diagnosis and every life saved are health workers who continue to show up despite long hours, limited resources and operational challenges.
It was this commitment, sacrifice and professionalism that came under the spotlight on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, when the Upper West Regional Hospital honoured 60 members of staff for their outstanding performance during the 2025 service year.
The recognition formed part of the hospital’s 2026 Half-Year Performance Review Meeting and Staff Excellence Awards Ceremony held at the ANC Conference Hall in Wa, under the theme: “One Hospital, Complete Diagnosis: Strengthening Laboratory Services for Timely, Quality and Patient-Centred Care.”
For the award recipients, the ceremony was more than a celebration of individual achievements. It was an acknowledgement of the collective effort of hundreds of health workers whose daily responsibilities keep the region’s major referral facility running.
The Upper West Regional Hospital serves as the main secondary referral centre for the Upper West Region, receiving patients from across the region, neighbouring areas and countries.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Philip K. K. Baabineh, described the occasion as a moment to appreciate the people behind the institution’s progress.
He said the hospital’s achievements were the result of the dedication and teamwork of staff who remained committed to providing quality care despite numerous challenges.
According to him, healthcare delivery depends greatly on timely and accurate diagnosis, making the strengthening of laboratory services essential to improving patient outcomes.
“Quality healthcare begins with the right diagnosis,” Dr. Baabineh noted, stressing that effective laboratory services enable clinicians to make informed decisions and provide appropriate treatment.
The journey, however, has not been without difficulties.
The hospital faced challenges including persistent power fluctuations and the breakdown of its oxygen generation plant. Yet, management said staff continued to demonstrate resilience by ensuring that patient care was not compromised.
Dr. Baabineh also highlighted progress made during the first half of 2026, including improvements in key health indicators, better financial management, increased internally generated revenue, expanded bed capacity and the hospital’s growing role in medical training.
For the health workers who were honoured, the awards represented recognition for the often unseen sacrifices behind healthcare delivery.
Madam Kanmwaa Stephanie, a Nursing Officer at the Outpatient Department, emerged as the Overall Best Staff and received an Apsonic motorbike as her prize.
Other top performers included Ms. Siewobr Fedelia of the Registry, who was adjudged First Runner-up; Mr. Nuhu Hafiz, a Senior Anaesthetist, who emerged Second Runner-up; and Ms. Soyellah Florence, a Principal Nursing Officer at the Emergency Department, who was named Third Runner-up.
Beyond the individual awards, the ceremony also highlighted the hospital’s broader efforts to improve healthcare services in the region.
The Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Josephat Ana-Imwine Nyuzaghl, commended the hospital’s management and staff for their contribution to healthcare delivery.
He urged them to sustain the gains made while focusing on innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozuing, also praised health workers for their dedication and assured them of government’s commitment to strengthening the health sector through improved infrastructure, equipment and specialist services.
He acknowledged challenges confronting the hospital, including inadequate specialist staff, ageing equipment, unreliable power supply and the migration of trained health professionals.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Wa, Hon. Alhaji Nurah Issah Danwaana, further reinforced government’s ambition to transform the hospital into a Teaching Hospital, while plans are advanced to establish a Metropolitan Hospital at Busah to expand healthcare access in the municipality.
He also announced that the hospital’s upgraded Dialysis Unit, supported through the intervention of the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, would be commissioned on August 4, 2026.
The new facility is expected to improve renal care services and provide relief to patients who previously had to travel outside the region for specialised treatment.
As the Upper West Regional Hospital continues its journey towards becoming a centre of excellence, the story remains centered on the people who make it possible — the doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, administrators and support staff whose commitment ensures that thousands of patients receive care every day.
For them, the recognition was not only a reward for yesterday’s efforts but a reminder of the responsibility to continue serving humanity with compassion and professionalism.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
