The Central and Volta regions are to have Teaching Hospitals soon, President John Mahama has announced.

He says regional hospitals in the two regions will be upgraded to Teaching hospitals in the near future.

Mr. Mahama made the announcement when he delivered the keynote address as the Guest of honour at the 46th graduation ceremony of the University of Cape Coast and the first oath swearing and induction ceremony of the University of Cape Coast’s School of Medical Sciences (UCCSMS) on Saturday in the regional capital, Cape Coast.

According to him, the Central Regional Hospital, when transformed into a Teaching Hospital, will give students of the University of Cape Coast Medical School the opportunity to undertake their practical work there without needing to commute to far away facilities.

Students of the Ho University of Health and Allied Sciences are also expected to gain similar benefits from the Volta regional hospital when upgraded.

UCCSMS started official academic work in 2008.

It churned out its first batch of 42 Medical students, who received Bachelor’s in Medicine and Surgery at Saturday’s graduation ceremony.

The current student population of the school is 304, made up of 168 males and 136 females.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Professor Domwini Daabre Kuupole, called for additional funding to complete the School’s library complex, laboratory complex and the academic block complex for students’ convenience.

Dean of the UCCSMS, Professor Harold Amonoo-Kuofie said the vision of the school is to make it a centre of excellence with worldwide acclaim.