Govt releases funds for renovation of accident unit at Tetteh Quarshie Hospital

The government has released GH¢121,900 for the renovation of the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital at Mampong Akuapem in the Eastern Region.

Four new elevators are also being installed to replace the ones which broke down years ago.

The Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Mawuli Kotope Gyakobo, announced this at the launch of the 55th anniversary celebrations of the hospital at Mampong Akuapem last Friday.

According to him, the challenges facing the hospital were enormous and included the infrastructure of the clinical building, staff residence and the obsolete equipment which broke down frequently.

He said the financial implication was apparent yet there was very little money to maintain the equipment due to the erratic and poor reimbursement of medical claims from the National Health Insurance Authority.

Dr Gyakobo also said though the hospital had enjoyed some support, there was the need for more to meet the new challenge of a postgraduate medical training institution and palliative care and pain management centre.

"The hospital is thus calling upon all stakeholders to come and partner the hospital in supporting the various programmes, including the newly refurbished palliative care unit which requires equipping and furnishing at a cost of GH¢9,100.00 per room", he added.

He invited corporate institutions and individuals to adopt some of the rooms since they would be rewarded with plaques.

He commended the Akuapem North Municipal Chief Executive, Mr George Opare-Addo, his presiding member and family, among others, for adopting some of the rooms.

State of hospital

A private medical practitioner, Dr Ama Boohene-Andah, who was the guest speaker, expressed regret at the current state of the hospital and attributed the situation to the improper use and blatant disregard for the maintenance and care of the "so-called government property".

"Typically, a member of staff will leave lights and air conditioners on in their offices because that equipment is not theirs; neither do they pay the bills. We turn around when there are no funds to repair these [pieces of] abused and misused equipment and blame the government.... After 18 years of total refurbishment, we are faced with even more daunting challenges than existed before,” she stated.

Dr Boohene-Andah was, however, happy that management of the hospital had developed an achievable strategy, which included the involvement of corporate bodies in generating funds; use of a percentage of generated funds for maintenance and the setting up of a development fund which would be jointly managed by the management of the hospital.

She commended staff of the hospital for their dedication and commitment to duty over the years and urged health institutions to consider organising training sessions that would promote behavioural and attitudinal changes.

Commendation

She thanked the current government of Ghana and previous ones, organisations and individuals who had played various roles in the hospital’s development.

In a speech read on her behalf, the Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr (Mrs) Charity Sarpong, also commended the management of the hospital for bringing health care to the doorstep of the people.