An aerial view of the UGMC[/caption] The University of Ghana Medical Centre is expected to commence operations on Wednesday, July 18 with a staff strength of about 30 as approved by the Health Ministry. The 650-bed facility built at a cost of $217 million has been dormant for more than 18 months after the first phase of the project was inaugurated by former President John Dramani Mahama on January 4, 2017. The facility will only take referral Out Patient Department (OPD) cases in the short term. Specialist services in three departments – Dermatology, Ophthalmology and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) will come on stream by the end of the year . Eventually, the University of Ghana Medical Centre is expected to receive patients not only across the country, but also from the sub-region and beyond. The facility has about eight huge blocks, which house an emergency centre, an outpatient and administration block, women and children’s centre, a medical training and simulation centre, among others. Meanwhile, Parliament has approved two agreements the fund the second phase of the Centre to enable it run fully and also meet international standards. Source: 3news.com | Ghana ]]>