Tamale, July 8, GNA - The North Ghana Mission of the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church, has opened a new hospital valued at 4.8 billion cedis for the Tamale Metropolis in fulfilment of the Church's role to complement government's efforts at providing socio-economic needs of the people.

The project, funded by the British Union Conference of SDA and other donors in Britain, adds up to seven hospitals and nine clinics that the church has established nationwide, mostly in the rural communities.

Speaking at the inauguration, the President of the SDA Church-Ghana, Pastor Peter Osei Mensah, said the business of nation building was not for the government alone but also for religious organizations as well.

He urged the youth to sacrifice for the cause of mankind and engage in activities that would impact positively on the lives of the people, especially the rural communities.

He appealed for peace in the Northern Region so that development projects could be sustained there. "Let us resolve to wear new clothes of peace, patriotism, honesty, kindness, reconciliation and brotherhood," he added.

In a speech read on his behalf, Dr Elias Sory, Northern Regional Director of Health Services, said his outfit was collaborating with religious bodies to establish more health facilities for the people. He announced that rehabilitation of the Tamale Teaching Hospital would soon commence while efforts would be made to put the old hospital in shape.

Pastor Desmond Boldeau, leader of the British team of the SDA, said voluntarism had been the spirit of the Church, and that this had encouraged the members to pool resources to fund the new hospital. He urged staff of the hospital to show love and compassion to patients who would patronize the facility.

Mr Ernest Debrah, Northern Regional Minister, said government would support the hospital to enable it to offer good healthcare services to the people at affordable cost.

He urged the public and private sectors to support the National Health Insurance Scheme to make healthcare delivery more equitable and affordable.