An abandoned theatre block funded by the Northern Development Authority has stalled critical surgical services at St. Theresa Catholic Hospital in Nandom.
The incomplete facility, located behind the hospital’s conference hall and close to key wards, has remained unused for nearly six years, significantly limiting the hospital’s ability to handle surgical cases at full capacity.
This challenge has come into sharp focus as the hospital, in partnership with the APRIDEC Medical Outreach Group, rolls out a week-long surgical and medical outreach programme from April 13 to April 17, 2026. The initiative has brought a team of specialist surgeons and physicians to provide essential healthcare services to residents who would otherwise struggle with the cost and logistics of accessing such care.
The outreach is targeting a range of conditions including goitre, breast masses, hernias, hydroceles, lipomas, and ganglions. In addition, patients are receiving consultations and treatment for chronic non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, kidney disease, and diabetes.
The medical team is led by Dr. Ebenezer Akomea-Agyin, a specialist general surgeon from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, alongside other professionals under APRIDEC, known for conducting similar outreach programmes across the country.
Despite an initial target of 100 surgical cases, doctors now estimate they will complete only about 50 surgeries due to limited theatre space—an issue directly linked to the uncompleted facility.
Acting Medical Superintendent, Dr. Mac Padmore Awudi, acknowledged that the lack of adequate surgical infrastructure continues to disrupt operations.
“There are occasional interruptions, and this reduces our output,” he noted.
He stressed that completing the abandoned theatre block would significantly improve service delivery.
“With an additional theatre, such as the incomplete one behind the conference hall, we could perform more surgeries simultaneously,” he added.
