Patients who seek health care at the Sekyere Hemang CHPS compound in the Wassa East District of the Western region are being charged additional one cedi to enable the facility settle its indebtedness to the Electricity Company of Ghana.
According to the midwife in charge of the facility, Christina Ocran, the district health directorate introduced the concept as a way of settling the accumulated electricity bill at the facility.
The facility recently had it power supply disconnect due to unpaid electricity bills.
To ensure constant supply of electricity, patients who visit the facility whether with the insurance or cash, are made to pay one cedi for electricity.
The Sekyere Hemang CHPS compound which serves as the only health facility for the community is faced with a number of challenges including inadequate wards, beds, medicine for patients who patronize the facility, and unpaid NHIS claims.
A pavilion which is being constructed to support the existing facility has been at the foundation level for more than a year compelling health personnel to operate from the corridors.
Adding to the woes of the facility, there is no washroom around for patients therefore those who want to urinate would either have to go home or walk a distance to a public facility nearby.
A water closet constructed by the community to serve the health center is yet to be handed over since the contractor has not connected water to it.
Currently, health personnel have to share one toilet facility with patients
The situation, according to the midwife in charge, is appalling and has become a major setback to healthcare delivery there.
Meanwhile the chief of Sekyere Hemang who doubles as the Acting Paramount Chief of Wassa Fiase Traditional Area, Daasebre Kwedu Kyirefo III, who denied knowledge of the collection of one cedi from patients said he will ensure the situation is addressed as soon as possible.
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