Minister calls for medical school on Legon campus

Accra, Nov. 24, GNA - It was time for the University of Ghana to have a Medical School Hospital established on its campus, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Minister of Defence, said on Wednesday.

The Minister, who was speaking at the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), was responding to a call for the re-location of the College of Health Sciences and other medical institutions under the University to the Legon campus.

Dr Addo Kufuor said the NMIMR, which is part of the University, had acquired an international reputation as a place of excellence for medical research committed to the eradication and control of various public health diseases.

He said an administration block for the West Africa Centre for Parasitic Control Project would soon be inaugurated and laboratory, hostel and canteen facilities would soon be provided as part of the Project.

Dr Addo-Kufuor said the Government was aware of the lead role being played by NMIMR in polio eradication, malaria treatment policy and HIV/AIDS control.

Professor David Ofori-Adjei, Director of NMIMR, said the Institute was committed to improving upon herbal medical practice and safe-motherhood among other things through its research activities. He mentioned limited funds as a major problem hindering service delivery in operations of the Institute.

Professor Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, called for the re-location of all medical institutions under the University at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to the Legon campus of the University.

He said in addition to the serene atmosphere at Legon this arrangement would help cut down on the cost of commuting from Korle-Bu to Legon.

Madam Kazuko Asai, Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, said the Institute, which was involved in health, education and research, was a symbol of partnership between Japan and Ghana.