The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has announced a 10-day fumigation exercise to take place at the Trauma and Surgical Emergency Unit of the 37 Military Hospital beginning today.

As a result, “the Trauma and Surgical Emergency Unit of the 37 Military Hospital will be temporarily closed for routine fumigation and maintenance from Monday, 4 August, to Wednesday, 13 August 2025,” a statement issued on Facebook by the GAF read.

It added that this scheduled exercise is part of the hospital's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and safety of patients and staff. “During this period, Simango Ward will serve as the temporary ward for receiving all trauma and surgical emergency cases,” the statement read.

The Ghana Armed Forces further assured the public that measures have been put in place to ensure continuity of care and minimize inconvenience, as they appreciate the continued trust and support of the general public.

A couple of months ago, the management of the Hospital announced a temporary shutdown of its Medical Emergency Unit (MEU) for a fumigation exercise to safeguard public health and ensure a clean and healthy environment for health officials as well.

The 10-day exercise was scheduled from Wednesday, June 4, to Saturday, June 14. The health facility made this known through an official statement issued by Lieutenant R.K. Kotoku, on behalf of the Acting Director General of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

It formed part of the hospital’s “routine measures to ensure a clean and safe environment for patients and staff,” parts of the statement read. Management of the facility urged the public to use alternative emergency facilities while they embarked on the 10-day exercise. “We urge the general public to seek medical emergency services at alternative health facilities during the specified period." the statement read.

Major hospitals like Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital), Police Hospital and Lekma Hospital were expected to absorb the diverted patient load.

Crucially, Lieutenant Kotoku assured that specialised provisions were made for entitled personnel. "Special arrangements have been made to cater for entitled persons through the Trauma Surgical Emergency Unit, which will remain operational throughout the fumigation period," he stated.

These individuals continually received emergency medical attention through the Trauma Surgical Emergency Unit (TSEU), which was fully operational throughout the fumigation exercise.

This strategic segregation aimed to minimize disruption to critical care for specific patient populations while the Medical Emergency Unit underwent deep cleansing. Management of the health facility apologised to the general public for inconvenience caused by the anticipated exercise. "We regret any inconvenience caused and thank the public for their cooperation."

The hospital undertook an earlier fumigation exercise last year in the month of June, however, it is unknown whether management planned to hold fumigation as an annual exercise.

The 37 Military Hospital, one of the largest specialist hospitals in Accra, has long faced several challenges, notably accommodation shortages and the strain of serving both military personnel and civilians.

In view of this, the incumbent government is taking a number of steps to address these challenges. Minister for Defence Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, during a working visit in February, assured that the government was determined to resolve some pressing and critical challenges facing the 37 Military Hospital.

"This working visit forms part of my deliberate intention to actively immerse myself in the challenges of the Ghana Armed Forces to prescribe tailored and cost-effective solutions. The challenges are numerous but not insurmountable," he told the staff.

In 2021, the hospital closed down its Medical and Emergency Unit to the public in order to undergo a fumigation exercise. According to a statement signed and issued by the Director of Public Relations for the GAF, Col. E Aggrey-Quashie, the closure of the unit took effect from Thursday, January 14 to Thursday, February 4, 2021, to allow the exercise to take place.

The GAF explained that the closure has become necessary to enable the authorities to undertake fumigation as a remedy to any infestation of the Unit. It was worth mentioning that measures had been put in place to ensure patients already on admission were not negatively affected.

However, the general public was advised to redirect all medical and emergency cases to other health facilities during the period. This was for the guidance and information of the general public, the statement added. The GAF however said any inconvenience the closure of the unit might cause to the general public was regrettable.