A landmark joint workshop between S.D. Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) and the Upper West Regional Hospital has successfully set in motion ambitious plans to establish a School of Medical Sciences, a comprehensive Faculty of Health Sciences, and a Teaching Hospital in the Upper West Region. This significant initiative aims to directly address the critical regional health workforce shortages and substantially improve healthcare delivery through collaborative training and research efforts.
On June 16, 2025, SDD-UBIDS and the Upper West Regional Hospital convened this pivotal consultative workshop to thoroughly explore the creation of a much-needed medical school and teaching hospital. The crucial meeting, skillfully chaired by SDD-UBIDS Vice-Chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile, saw the attendance of key health and academic leaders from the region.
Discussions primarily focused on developing concrete strategies for the successful launch of a Faculty of Health Sciences, which is envisioned to include specialized departments in public health, nursing, allied health, medical sciences, and pharmacy. Furthermore, the comprehensive proposal also outlines the establishment of a dedicated Centre for Disease Surveillance and Control.
During the workshop, various presentations highlighted the pressing need for more health professionals within the region. The Upper West Regional Hospital’s readiness to support this initiative was also emphasized, despite its current bed capacity being just below the 300 beds typically required for official teaching hospital status.
The strategic plan for the new institutions calls for a phased rollout of academic programs, the adoption of flexible learning models to accommodate diverse student needs, and the optimal leveraging of existing faculty and hospital staff. Stakeholders present at the workshop collectively stressed the paramount importance of strong partnerships, continuous stakeholder engagement, and formal agreements to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the project.
The workshop concluded with firm commitments from all participants to finalize the detailed proposals, actively mobilize the necessary resources, and promptly begin the crucial accreditation process. This collaborative effort marks a significant and promising step towards profoundly improving healthcare education and services across the entire Upper West Region.
