The inability of some patients, particularly new-born and lactating mothers to pay their medical bills after they have been discharged is gradually affecting quality healthcare delivery at the Koforidua Regional Hospital.
According to hospital authorities, it is sudden that these mothers seek essential medical care for their children, ensuring they receive the necessary treatment and attention but are unable to pay their bills because of their financial burden.
The hospital management indicated that it has over the years supported the patients, however, the hospital’s limited resources have been challenged in recent times, following the inability of patients to pay.
This came to light during a donation made by the SEMS Family Touch Foundation, a Koforidua and US-based Non-Governmental Organisation to support the Children’s, Surgical, Male and Female Wards of the Koforidua Regional Hospital.
The items donated include; over 1000 cuddly Teddy bears, 500 toys to bring joy to children, 100 packs of adult pull-ups for patients in need, 50 packs of baby diapers for young ones, 50 boxes of biscuits and toffees to brighten their day, 50 packs of consumable non-alcoholic beverages to keep them hydrated and five boxes of reading and colouring books to stimulate their minds.
Additionally, the foundation also donated an Air Conditioning unit to the Koforidua Polyclinic and paid the medical expenses of two patients admitted to the hospital.
Speaking with the paper, the Paediatrics Matron at the Koforidua Regional Hospital’s children’s ward, Madam Faustina Asare, hinted that the hospital resources cannot bear the full burden alone, adding that external support is crucial to help bridge the financial gap and ensure that all patients receive the necessary care.
To this end, she passionately appealed to corporate organizations and well-meaning individuals to support the hospital in subsidising the medical expenses for these underprivileged children after being discharged from the hospital.
She emphasised that these contributions are crucial in supporting the government’s efforts to provide reliable and quality healthcare and encouraged regular donations to sustain this vital support.
The Paediatrics matron at the Koforidua Regional Hospital’s Children’s ward admonished the general public, especially parents, to prioritize saving money to cover unexpected hospital expenses for their children, families, and loved ones.
She encouraged them to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances, such as sudden hospitalizations, to avoid financial strain and ensure timely access to quality medical care.
On her part, the patron of the SEMS Family Touch Foundation, a name that was coined from the names of her children Senyo, Edem, Michael, and Setor, Madam Susie AkpeneDziekpor, stated that the gesture was to show love and care to the patients on admission.
“I was driven by a desire to bring comfort and joy to the children, as well as patients in the surgical, male, and female wards who are undergoing treatment because medication is essential for healing but emotional support and care play a significant role in promoting overall well-being,” she indicated.
Throwing light on the foundation, she disclosed that the foundation’s mission is aligned with empowering young girls in rural and disadvantaged areas, as well as supporting the needy, vulnerable, mentally afflicted, elderly, widows, and widowers, among others.
The patron of the SEMS Family Touch Foundation underscored her outfit’s passion to support, adding that the donation to the Koforidua Regional Hospital is not an isolated incident but rather a continuation of her foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals in society.
She disclosed that the SEMS Family Touch Foundation has previously provided care and support to orphans at local orphanages and has now expanded its reach to include hospitals, demonstrating its dedication to making a positive impact in various aspects of the community.
Madam Susie Akpene Dziekpor appealed to policymakers and government officials to prioritize the allocation of resources to critical areas such as quality education and healthcare facilities, emphasizing the need for sustained support and empowerment of these essential services.
To her, investing in these areas is crucial for the well-being and development of individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole.
She, however, promised to be an ambassador for the regional hospital to solicit for various support from other NGOs, philanthropists, and stakeholders to urgently support the hospital by providing essential equipment, creating specialized wards for children, and assisting parents who have been discharged but cannot afford their medical bills.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Foundation, a Ghanaian-born American Clinical Nurse Manager, Olivia Senyo Tehode, expressed her sincere appreciation to institutions and individuals who have supported the foundation in various ways.
She called on other stakeholders to partner with the foundation in its mission to show love and care to the underprivileged and vulnerable in society, emphasizing the power of collective action.
The young CEO explained that the foundation operates independently instead of relying on the collective efforts of individuals coming together as one to achieve a shared goal and believes that by uniting and working towards a common purpose, they can make a meaningful difference in the lives of the needy and vulnerable without relying solely on government assistance.
She expressed her concern about the challenges faced when importing donated items into the country, citing unexpected extra charges at the harbour that significantly affect their plans for support.
The Ghanaian-born American Clinical Nurse Manager appealed to the government to consider providing guarantees or waivers for donated items intended for public, hospital, school, or societal benefit.
She mentioned that this, if done, would encourage Ghanaians living abroad to return and contribute to the country’s development.
Meanwhile, the In-Charge of the Children’s Ward, Madam Priscilla Ofosu Appiah, thanked the SEMS Family Touch Foundation for their generous donation, citing its significant impact on patient care and the hospital’s ability to provide quality care.
She reiterated a concern about the persistent overcrowding in the ward, attributing it to financial constraints faced by parents in paying medical bills, adding that the challenges this poses to the hospital’s ability to provide optimal care and the need for support to address this pressing issue.
Priscilla Ofosu Appiah encouraged the general public to renew their National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards, emphasising that this will help subsidise medical expenses for their loved ones when they visit the hospital, ultimately reducing the financial burden on families and supporting the hospital’s efforts to provide quality care.
