Tanko Foundation rescues nursing mothers detained over unpaid medical bills
Three nursing mothers who had been detained for over a month at the Ketu South Municipal Hospital due to their inability to pay medical bills have finally been freed, thanks to the intervention of the Tanko Foundation in collaboration with the Duamenefa Foundation.
The mothers, who were unable to return home with their newborns after delivery, endured a month of pain and humiliation as they struggled with unpaid debts. Their plight was brought to an end during a special donation event organised by the foundations.
Speaking anonymously to the media, one of the mothers shared her heart-rending experience, revealing how she was abandoned by the father of her child and left to bear the burden alone. With tears in her eyes, she expressed profound gratitude for the intervention.
“I don’t know what I would have done if they hadn’t come to my rescue. The shame, the fear and the pain I felt every day were unbearable. The Tanko Foundation has given me and my baby a fresh start,” she said.
During the donation ceremony, Emmanuel Atokple, a representative of the Tanko Foundation, emphasised the foundation’s dedication to aiding the less privileged in the Volta Region. He explained that the urgency of the mothers’ predicament prompted the foundation’s founder, Gabriel Kwamigah Tanko Atokple, to act swiftly.
“Mr Tanko has not only cleared the hospital bills but has also ensured that these mothers can return home with dignity,” Emmanuel stated.
“In addition, we have donated essential items such as rice, baby food, toiletries, diapers and an undisclosed sum of money to help the mothers start afresh. As we usher in the New Year, we want these families to experience the joy and love of the season.”
The foundation’s goodwill extended beyond the nursing mothers. A separate donation of food and drinks was made to the children’s ward of the hospital to ensure that young patients and their families could also enjoy the festive season.
The Administrator of the Ketu South Municipal Hospital, Alex Hlotsi, expressed deep gratitude for the foundation’s support, describing it as a lifeline.
“This is not just an act of charity; it is a lifeline for these mothers and their families. It also alleviates the financial strain on the hospital,” he said.
Mr Hlotsi also appealed to other charitable organisations and individuals to assist the hospital in addressing a pressing need: the establishment of a dental unit.
“We have identified a place for the dental unit, but we lack the logistics and equipment to set it up. Our internally generated funds are insufficient, so we are calling on anyone who can help to come to our aid,” he said.