Following calls by residents in Weija over delays in operationalizing the Weija Pediatric Hospital, the Ministry of Health has responded.
In a statement released from the MOH, the delays in the operationalization of the Weija Pediatric Hospital has been attributed to procurement irregularities and unresolved contractual issues.
On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, residents staged a protest at the premises, calling on the government to immediately commission the facility for use.
The fully furnished 120-bed hospital, completed in early 2025, is expected to serve as a major referral center for pediatric care, easing congestion at existing health facilities and improving outcomes for critically ill children in Weija-Gbawe and surrounding communities.
The Ministry said the hospital—funded by the World Bank and initiated in 2023—was originally scheduled for completion in December 2025 but encountered setbacks after concerns were raised by the funding partner.
According to the statement, the World Bank flagged “misprocurement,” including allegations that some medical equipment costs had been inflated to as much as 11 times their actual price, prompting the institution to withhold settlement of outstanding payments.
The Ministry said it had taken steps to engage all relevant stakeholders and was prepared to commission the hospital, but the contractor halted the process, insisting that all outstanding issues be resolved before access to the facility could be granted.
