Preparations for the establishment of a graduate medical school at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) are in their final stages, according to a committee tasked with overseeing the project.
Dr. Alexander Kofi Egote, a member of the Sunyani Teaching Hospital/UENR Committee, announced that the committee had completed the development of the curriculum for the medical school and forwarded it to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) for approval. Dr. Egote made this announcement during the Fourth Quarterly General Meeting of the Brong-Ahafo Division of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) in Sunyani.
The initiative to establish the medical school follows the successful upgrade of the Sunyani Regional Hospital to Teaching Hospital status. This upgrade, approved by the Cabinet in February 2023, paved the way for the conversion of the hospital and subsequently the establishment of the medical school.
Dr. Egote expressed optimism about commencing the graduate medical school within the year, pending accreditation from GTEC. He emphasized the importance of this milestone, particularly for enhancing healthcare education and services in the region.
In addition to the medical school initiative, Dr. Egote highlighted some achievements of the GMA under his leadership. These included the acquisition of land for the construction of a GMA House in Fiapre, Sunyani West Municipality, as well as the sale of land plots to members in Sunyani Municipality to address accommodation challenges. He also mentioned ongoing efforts by the GMA to advocate for improved incentives and benefits for doctors across the country, including retirement benefits and car importation waivers.
The announcement signifies a significant development in the healthcare sector in the region and underscores efforts to strengthen medical education and services in Ghana.
