Accra, Jan. 24, GNA- President John Agyekum Kufuor, on Saturday, tasked policy makers and implementers at all levels of society to cater for the special needs of people with disability in their programmes and projects.

President Kufuor gave the directive when he inaugurated modern facilities for 13 Departments of the 37 Military Hospital and pledged the Government's commitment to upgrade all health institutions to provide high quality and affordable care accessible to all Ghanaians. As part of the project, President Kufuor noted that, "Attention has been paid to the needs of the physically challenged with special services."

He, therefore, commended the implementers, saying "I recommend this highly to policy makers and implementers in all sectors of society to remember to give equal opportunity to the physically-challenged members of the society."

President Kufuor said the sterling quality of work and the state-of-the-art equipment at the Hospital, which had raised the status of the hospital to an international standard, would be the yardstick for measuring development in similar health infrastructure throughout the country.

The 20-million dollar facilities, constructed under the second phase of the 37 Military Hospital Rehabilitation Project, include a Polyclinic and Ear Nose and Throat; Medical; Surgical; Paediatric; Ophthalmology; Dental, Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Pathology; Pharmacy; Dermatology; Public Health and Physiotherapy Departments.

Others are 32 offices for consultants, restrooms for doctors and staff, cafeteria and a shopping mall.

The German Government provided support for the project, undertaken by Messrs Hospital Engineering Limited. It was initiated at the end of July 2002.