St Joseph exonerated from extortions
St. Joseph Hospital at Effiduase in Koforidua has been exonerated by a seven-member committee set up last year to investigate media allegations of extortion levelled against it.
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The hospital, a member institution of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), was alleged to have charged patients undergoing knee and hip replacement surgery a fee of GH¢6,100 each.
About 50 patients were shortlisted to undertake the surgeries sponsored by ‘Operation Walk Syracuse’, an American charity organisation.
Findings
The committee’s report, which was submitted last year to the then Minister of Health, Mr Alex Segbefia, in former President John Mahama’s government, established that: “The allegations, as reported in the media, were unfounded and malicious to the integrity, image and reputation of the St Joseph Hospital in Koforidua.”
“No payment or donation of US$100,000 was ever made to the St Joseph Hospital towards the surgical operations,” a statement signed by the Executive Director of CHAG, Mr Peter K. Yeboah, stated.
The statement added that the patients involved in the surgeries received free echocardiogram, x-rays and other laboratory tests, all at the expense of the hospital.
“Actually, patients paid GH¢1000 each for the procedures, compared to a cost of about GH¢55,000 charged by most hospitals in Ghana,” it stated further.
It said the CHAG was pleased to announce that the patients who went for the operation were now healthy and happy and were enjoying functional mobility as independent persons.
Commendation not condemnation
According to the statement, “It follows from the foregoing that health facilities under CHAG, including St Joseph Hospital—Koforidua, that collaborate with stakeholders to provide such charitable works of mercy for humanity deserve commendation and not condemnation.”
It said CHAG wished to assure the general public that its Christian ideals of service and sacrifice had been, and were still, upheld in all circumstances, particularly its fidelity to the sick and suffering, poor and needy, as well as the neglected and marginalised segments of society.
Operation Walk Syracuse returns in October 2017
The statement said it was gratified and pleased to announce that the American Charity, Operation Walk Syracuse, was returning to St Joseph Hospital—Koforidua in October this year for another batch of humanitarian and restorative surgeries for the poor and needy.
It is, therefore, calling on the general public to support member institutions of CHAG in preserving, promoting and protecting health at all times, anywhere in the country and to everyone.
