Two NGOs support Mankranso District Hospital

The Ghana Healthcare Volunteers of Georgia, Inc. (GHVOG), in collaboration with Advocates for World Health based in Tampa Florida, USA, has donated assorted health equipment to the Mankranso District Hospital in the Ashanti Region.

The items, which cost $210,000, are made up of a 40-footer container full of hospital beds, an ultrasound machine, autoclave, exam tables, centrifuges, microscopes, wheelchairs, stethoscopes, baby weighing machine, baby warmer, wound care, surgical and infection prevention supplies.

Other beneficiaries of the consignment include  the Bibiani and Kumasi South (formerly Atonsu Agogo Hospital) Government hospitals in Western and Ashanti regions respectively. 

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Ahafo Ano South District Director of the Ghana Health Service, Mr Reuben Bedzrah, commended the donors for their effort and noted that the provision of quality healthcare was not the sole responsibility of the government but the collective contribution and effort of all stakeholders in the country and beyond.

He explained that although it was the responsibility of the government to lead the nation’s development agenda, complementing the government’s effort with the provision of the right equipment and facilities by faith-based and corporate organisations, philanthropists and other stakeholders could contribute towards the provision of the proper healthcare for the people.

Mr Bedzrah hinted that the items could not have come at any better time since the district had completed Community-based Health Planning Systems (CHPS) compounds at Banniekrom, Pokuase and a health centre at Kunsu which were not functional due to lack of the requisite medical equipment.

He said management had mapped out a strategy to lobby all stakeholders to mobilise the requisite basic medical equipment for health service provision in the district, adding that the items from the Ghana HealthCare Volunteers Association of Georgia were positive results of their resource mobilisation strategy.

President of GHVOG

The President of GHVOG, Dr Nicholas Fosu said the decision to ship the items to districts and rural clinics was in fulfilment of the second strategic goal of GHVOG  of offering free health outreach involving free blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose screenings in underserved communities in Georgia, USA.

He said the donation of the essential equipment was a dream come through as it took them three years of hard work, determination, perseverance and focus to achieve this noble goal, adding that it took a substantial investment from their sponsors, executives and other members whose aims and objectives were to give back to the community and country.

Dr Ofosu said GHVOG and its partners were aware of the importance of addressing the basic health needs of the people such as good health education and quality healthcare service, adding that the NGO will fully commit itself to complementing government efforts of improving district and rural health outcomes, and to control the spread of preventable diseases such as HIV and AIDS, malaria among others.

He pledged the group’s continuous support towards citizens and reminded the people to rise up and be responsible not only for themselves and their families but for the entire community.Other dignitaries who witnessed the presentation ceremony were Mr Kofi Bawuah, treasurer of GHVOG and Ms Hajia Fatima, a member of the Rotary Club Accra.

 Background

The Ghana Healthcare Volunteers of Georgia, Inc. (GHVOG), is a US-based non-profit healthcare volunteers group made up of medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other healthcare professionals registered under the state of Georgia, USA. 

Its mission is to promote the general health of Ghanaians (both in the US and in Ghana) and other underserved communities through education and community health outreach programmes.

GHVOG’s ultimate goal is to mobilise and raise funds to ship medical supplies and equipment, and to organise health missions to Ghana.