Finance Minister Yaw Osafo-Maafo on Thursday said the implementation of a programme to abolish the Cash and Carry System in the Health sector would begin under a pilot scheme, this year.

In the 2002 Budget Statement presented to Parliament, Osafo-Maafo announced that construction of new hospitals at Gushiegu and Begoro would start, while the district hospital being constructed at Sogakope would be completed.

The Minister said 16 health centres would also be completed, while others at New Edubiase, Juabeso, Bimbilla and Dodowa South would be upgraded. Additionally, staff accommodation at all major hospitals are to be expanded.