Minority members on Parliament’s Health Committee have taken aim at the government over the prolonged delay in commissioning the 500-bed Afari Military Hospital, arguing that the situation is hampering efforts to strengthen healthcare services in the Ashanti Region.

The delegation, led by the Committee’s Ranking Member, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, toured the facility on Wednesday as part of a nationwide assessment of stalled health infrastructure projects. The exercise seeks to draw attention to incomplete facilities and push for their completion and operationalisation.

The visit comes at a time when healthcare institutions in the region continue to face mounting pressure, particularly the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), which recently grappled with disruptions arising from industrial action by medical staff. The strike was called off on June 9 following the suspension of the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo.

During the inspection, the lawmakers expressed disappointment over the condition of the hospital, observing that parts of the premises have become overgrown while some structures are beginning to deteriorate despite the substantial public investment committed to the project.

They maintained that the delay in bringing the facility into operation is difficult to understand, especially as major hospitals in the region struggle with increasing patient loads and limited capacity.

Speaking to journalists after the tour, Dr. Ayew Afriyie questioned the government’s priorities, insisting that the funding needed to complete and activate the hospital is comparatively small when measured against expenditure on other major government initiatives.

The Minority is therefore calling for urgent action to ensure the facility is completed and made operational to help ease pressure on existing health institutions and improve access to healthcare services in the region.