Wenchi (B/A), Jan. 25, GNA - The Methodist Hospital at Wenchi in Brong Ahafo is to be upgraded into a teaching hospital, the Most Reverend Dr Robert Aboagye-Mensah, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church has announced.

Addressing the staff, doctors and nurses of the Hospital during a five-day tour of the Wenchi Diocese of the Church, he said plans were underway towards this goal.

Rev Dr Aboagye-Mensah said the Church had taken the measure because of its concern about the health of the people.

He commended the Cuban Government for releasing medical doctors to augment the local doctor population in the country.

The Presiding Bishop called on the Government to train more nurses and medical doctors to ensure the success of the mutual health insurance scheme.

Dr Aboagye-Mensah advised the staff of the Hospital to work diligently to merit the new status planned for the institution. Mr B.C.K. Botwe, Deputy Chief Health Services Administrator of the Hospital said plans were afoot to construct two-storey blocks at the cost of two billion cedis at the Hospital.

He called on the Church, government and non-governmental organizations to assist to complete the project in good time.

In another development the Home Base Care Centre at the Hospital has organised a five-day workshop for 40 participants comprising volunteers, committees and caregivers.

Speaking at the close of the workshop, Mr Abraham Addai, the Hospital's Accountant, commended the Ghana AIDS Commission for providing 210 million cedis for the training of trainers and for the purchase of drugs for people living with HIV/AIDS.

He said the Hospital was determined to organize more workshops on HIV/AIDS in the Wenchi and Tain districts and called on the participants to take the course seriously so they could impart the acquired knowledge to others.

Mr Owusu Boateng, Wenchi District Focal Person on AIDS called on Ghanaians to show love and concern to victims of the pandemic. He called on other communities and NGOs to organise similar courses and workshops to reduce the spread of the epidemic.