Telecel Foundation pays medical expenses of 75 patients

TELECEL Ghana Foundation has supported a total of 75 patients burdened by unpaid medical expenses in three hospitals – Northern Regional Hospital, Upper East Regional Hospital and Nandom St. Theresa Hospital.

The gesture forms part of the Foundation’s Homecoming Initiative aimed at absolving the medical bills of indebted patients in selected government hospitals across the country.

One of the beneficiaries is a brave Umar who was fighting a harrowing battle that far exceeded his tender age.

In early September, a week after his dad passed, the 13-year-old began to experience acute pain and discomfort in his abdomen.

For two weeks, Umar’s family resorted to herbal medication to cure, but the abdominal distress only worsened as days passed.

With the gravity of the pain increasing after the third week, his family rushed the primary six pupils to the regional hospital and after multiple tests, Umar was 
diagnosed with typhoid intestinal perforation – one of the leading fatal complications of typhoid fever.

Three holes found on his intestines allowed air, food and fluid to seep into his abdomen, causing severe complications and impairing the functioning of his kidney.

Surgeons performed an urgent operation to seal the holes but after a few days, Umar’s body system resisted antibiotic medication. Even worse, a fourth hole emerged, further jeopardising his fragile health and requiring a second surgical operation.

Two other patients in the ward had the same intestinal perforation disease and were fighting for their lives.

Health education

A medical officer at the hospital, Dr George Anneh, said community health education was needed to minimise and prevent the incidence of typhoid intestinal perforation, caused by bacteria from contaminated water or food infecting the digestive system and lining of the abdomen.

“Umar’s current health challenge is that his body is rejecting the antibiotics, so the medication is not assimilating into his body to treat the infection and help him heal faster plus his renal impairment is complicating his recovery,” Dr Anneh said.

The disease is common in communities with low socioeconomic conditions that lack constant access to safe water.

Umar’s family reached the breaking point in their finances as they struggled to raise funds for his medication, surgeries and recovery. The telecommunications giant came through to pay for Umar’s arrears and support his treatment.

Since its introduction in 2011, Homecoming, which forms part of Telecel Ghana Foundation’s Connected Health Programme, has become a cherished annual tradition which facilitates the discharge of about 200 patients from government hospitals annually.

It’s being carried out in three phases, targeting hospitals in northern, middle, and southern belts of Ghana.

Access to healthcare

The Head of Foundation, Sustainability and External Communications at Telecel Ghana, Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, said “Umar’s situation is critical and every moment counts. 

We believe in the importance of access to healthcare.

No child should have to suffer because their family can’t afford treatment. We hope our contribution can help Umar on his path to full recovery.”