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 Front view of Accra Psychiatric Hospital
 Front view of Accra Psychiatric Hospital

Govt to release GH¢1.6m to Accra Psychiatric Hospital

The government is to make available GH¢1.6 million to the Accra Psychiatric Hospital to prevent it from shutting down.

The amount, to be credited to the hospital by Monday, August 8, 2016, is to pay off some of its debts.

One of three public psychiatric hospitals in the country, the Accra Psychiatric Hospital is said to be indebted to the tune of more than GH¢4.1million, especially to food and chemical suppliers.

The hospital has a current inmate population of 500 and the authorities had earlier warned of a likely shutdown as a result of food shortage and the lack of medical supplies.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry of Health, Mr Tony Goodman, in an interview with the Daily Graphic, said the ministry had to borrow the money from other sources to ensure that the hospital did not shut down.

He said the processes for the release of the funds were ongoing and gave an assurance that latest by Monday, the money should be credited to the account of the hospital to help ease some of the pressure it was currently facing from its suppliers.

Recurring problems

The hospital, aside from food and medical supply shortages, is also faced with a number of problems, including lack of adequate doctors and nurses to take care of patients. 

Other challenges are inadequate accommodation facilities, aging and weak infrastructure, roofs with gaping holes, broken-down toilet facilities, horrible consulting rooms and wards in deplorable conditions.

Owing to the virtual neglect suffered by the hospital over the years, it has become crucial to re-equip the entire facility to make it justify its existence and be able to continue to render the needed crucial services to those who access the care provided by the hospital.

 

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