Progress Report
FOCOS PROJECT 2010—UPDATE
(
Click here to download pdf version)
FOCOS (The Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex Spine) is a non-profit organization, established in 1998 by
Dr. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei. FOCOS’ mission is to provide comprehensive, affordable orthopedic and spine care to underserved communities. Through its international network of world-class volunteer surgeons and other medical providers, FOCOS visits Ghana twice a year to perform orthopedic surgeries and treat musculoskeletal disorders.
In order to serve more patients in Ghana, FOCOS has embarked on the FOCOS 2010 project to build a single-specialty dedicated hospital. The 30-bed FOCOS Orthopedic Hospital and Rehabilitation Institute will provide comprehensive orthopedic services including diagnostics, outpatient consultation and surgical care to the adult and pediatric populations in the West African region.
The FOCOS Project 2010 Team, made up of a branch in Ghana and a branch in the United States, pursues various funding options for the hospital and evaluates potential sites. Significant progress was made in these areas during the November 2006 trip to Ghana. The project team in Ghana is charged with concluding action items pertaining to funding and land acquisition.
Funding Sources — FOCOS needs $10 million (USD) to build a dedicated orthopedic hospital—FOCOS is seeking to raise $10 million (USD) for the construction, equipment and operations of the hospital and to establish an endowment fund to provide subsidized care for some patients.
FOCOS requested a $1.5 million grant from the Ghanaian government. The grant was officially requested in a letter to President John Kufour of Ghana in May 2006, after discussions with key Ghanaian government officials who indicated presidential and government support for the grant. The grant was included in the President’s 2007 budget and the budget was approved by the Parliament of Ghana on December 15, 2006. FOCOS paid a courtesy call to President Kufour at Osu Castle where several members of the project team met with him during the November 2006 trip.
FOCOS is pursing a loan with the Ghana National Health Insurance (NHI) program. A loan from the NHI can be structured to offer more favorable terms, a much better option than those available from commercial sources.
The FOCOS project 2010 team is negotiating terms to establish the magnitude of the loan ($2—$4 million), a lower interest rate , and a longer term horizon (15-20 yrs). The FOCOS Project 2010 team met with the local bankers to review the loan process and identify follow up action items.
An application was submitted to USAid for a $750,000 grant in summer 2007 we are waiting on a response.
Land Acquisition — The FOCOS Ghana Project Team has finalized the acquisition of a 10 acre plot in Accra for $200,000.
FOCOS Project Team lead by H.E. Fritz Poku has engaged the services of a Ghanaian architect to put together architectural plans for the hospital project. The groundbreaking is scheduled for spring/summer 2008. To date $4 million has been raised to start construction of the hospital