Accra, July 2, GNA - The Nsawkaw sub-district hospital in the Brong Ahafo Region is to be upgraded to the level of a district hospital within the next few years to serve the anticipated influx of people to the district due to the construction of the Bui Hydro Electric Power Plant.

Major Courage Quashigah (Rtd), Health Minister said in Parliament on Wednesday that since the creation of the Tain district, the Ministry had invested substantially in the upgrading of "facilities and services at the Nsawkaw Health Centre to the level of a polyclinic." "A medical doctor has been stationed there and staffing level for all the required health professionals increased. Presently, the facility is a major referral centre for the district," the Minister said in response to a question on plans to upgrade the facility. Responding to another question on upgrading the Dambai Clinic in the Krachi East district, Major Quashigah said the upgrading was being done in phases.

He said construction work was in progress to provide limited staff accommodation units and a facility for reproductive and child health services at the centre.

He said: "laboratory diagnostic services are part of the services to be added to the range of services available at the centre." "As part of the Ministry's medium to long term plans, the facility will be further upgraded to a polyclinic status," Major Quashigah added.