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Koforidua Hospital loses revenue: 201 patients fail to pay GH¢168,405 medical bills
• Dr Akoto-Ampaw speaking at the meeting
Two hundred and one patients treated at the Eastern Regional Hospital at Koforidua, vanished into thin air without paying their medical bills totalling GH¢168,405
Narrating the sad story to The Spectator at Koforidua, Dr. Arko Akoto-Ampaw, the Medical Director, revealed that a total of GH¢103,476 was lost in 2022 because 77 patients failed to pay the hospital fees after they had been treated.
He claimed that in 2021, 58 patients failed to pay their bills, amounting to GH¢39,356, while in 2020, the hospital lost GH¢25,573 because 66 patients defaulted.
He was worried about the trend and said that the continuous loss of such huge sums of money annually was a drain on the hospital’s coffers.
Dr. Akoto-Ampaw, who spoke to The Spectator during the hospital’s 2022 Annual Review Meeting with the press, advised patients who owed the hospital to approach the Social Welfare Department to negotiate payment plans in case they were unable to pay their medical bills but not to sneak out of the facility.
The review meeting was held to make public the hospital’s activities undertaken during the year under review, and to explain their achievements and challenges, as well as the way forward.
The Medical Director explained that “sometimes we want to give a
human face to some of these situations, and because we are a government hospital, we do not want to take money before we serve the patients.
“Human life is important, and so we first take care of the patients and then demand the money later; that should not warrant some patients running away.”
He said, “this place is not a prison, and so you cannot also prevent people from walking about and taking fresh air, and that is how they disappear. They take their things out one after the other, and then they vanish.”
Dr. Akoto-Ampaw said the hospital had put in measures that would ensure that patients were tracked and made to pay after treatment or sign undertakings before they were allowed to leave the hospital.
He said that some patients classified as “paupers”, that is, those for whom the hospital was certain they genuinely could not afford to pay for the services rendered them, also caused a loss of GH¢3,183 in 2022, GH¢9,096 in 2021, and GH¢9,561 in 2020.
He disclosed that out of a total amount of GH¢166,760 owed to the hospital by patients who signed undertakings to pay later, GH¢34,136 had been redeemed.
He said the hospital had rehabilitated some facilities, including washrooms for the mother’s hostels, a CT scan ward, a pre-operating room at the main theatre, and the construction of an autopsy unit.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
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Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.
Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.
He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.
“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.
President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.
He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.
He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.
“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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Prophet Courage Heavens set to launch ‘Predestination’ book on March 23
Prophet Courage A. Heavens is set to launch the much-awaited book titled ‘Predestination’ on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 5:00PM.
The launch, which is expected to impact lives, will take place at Crossgates Ministries, Flattop, off N1 Highway, opposite Angel Hauz.
The book is aimed at addressing the way people struggle to understand how free will and destiny align.
It is also aimed at providing clarity on God’s sovereignty and one’s place in His divine plan.
The various chapters of the book address various issues through scriptures and personal stories.
Committed to impacting society, part of the proceeds from the book will go into Courage Heavens Education Legacy (CHEL), an educational foundation transforming lives.
CHEL is dedicated to providing financial support and mentorship to brilliant but needy students, ensuring they have access to quality education and opportunities for a better future.
Prophet Courage Heavens is a prolific writer and previously authored Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani, a powerful book that encourages unwavering faith in times of trials.
In addition, he has written seven more prophetic and life-changing books that are yet to be published.
He is dedicated to raising the next generation for impactful ministry. As the leader of Crossgates Ministries, he nurtures believers in faith and purpose.
