Editorial
Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is not ‘a place of no return’
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, has expressed concerns on the widespread belief that the hospital is “a place of no return.”
Dr. Ampomah claims that this view has caused fear in many people, and that fear has impacted the hospital since those people refuse to go to Korle-Bu when they are referred there for medical care.
When people refuse to seek medical attention in a timely manner, it has either made their condition worse for some patients or resulted in the premature death of many others.
However, Dr. Ampomah says that Korle-Bu is among the most effective hospitals in terms of providing healthcare.
According to him, “99 percent of patients admitted return home healthy after receiving treatment, contrary to the belief that people die when they seek healthcare here.”
Dr. Ampomah explained the situation at the first Korle-Bu healthfest and photo exhibition that was accessible to the public.
He said because of the false stereotype that you will die if you go to Korle-Bu, “people on referrals with various conditions stay away for many months or years and by the time they report, it might be too late.”
It is unfortunate that some people choose to stay at home worsening their health rather than visiting KBTH, despite the facility being a national asset that belongs to all Ghanaians.
The Spectator expresses alarm about this disclosure and advises the sick on referral to seek medical care at Korle-Bu without hesitation for their own well-being.
We entreat the media to be more cautious in their reporting to inspire confidence in the public and help them get the most out of the hospital, rather than listening to stories that do not edify.
This is due to the fact that patient trust in the hospital plays a critical role in the healing process when it comes to healthcare.
The Spectator applauds the hospital for taking the initiative to launch the patient feedback system in an effort to identify and try to address the specific problems raised by the general public.
It is encouraging that although some people are reluctant to visit Korle-Bu for medical attention, others choose to do so because the facility is staffed by highly skilled physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Presently, it employs more than 4,000 medical and paramedical personnel, seeing 1,500 patients a day on average, 250 of whom are admitted each day for additional care.
Being a human institution, the hospital may have flaws, so we implore all parties involved to stand by Korle-Bu and help position it to serve the medical needs of Ghanaians and other citizens. At the moment, Korle-Bu is the largest hospital in Africa and the primary national referral centre in Ghana.
In order to make the environment comfortable for patients, we also implore people and organisations to adopt and routinely maintain the wards in the various departments. Bungalows should also be renovated to provide physicians and other staff with a respectable environment to work.
Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is not ‘a place of no return.’
Editorial
ECG PowerApp: A mixed bag of technical issues, uncredited payment concerns
Dear Editor,
On February 18, 2020, the former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, launched the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) PowerApp, a mobile application designed in-house by staff of ECG.
It was to improve its service delivery to its customers.
The development of the app also meant that customers of ECG would now have the opportunity to purchase power and pay bills using their mobile phones.
That means customers of ECG would no longer have to join long queues to purchase power, but could now do that at their own convenience and in the comfort of their homes.
According to the Communication Officer, the PowerApp has increased annual revenue growth for the company.
He said as of April 2024, the new application system had increased its annual revenue growth by 128 per cent as compared to the old system at negative seven per cent.
Despite these reasons for which the app was developed and the benefits it has brought to ECG, there have been growing concerns among a section of the public on its use.
Some have argued that they were not credited after using the app to recharge their prepaid meter while the money was deducted from their MoMo accounts.
Such experience has made some customers vow not use the app to recharge their prepaid meters but rather go to prepaid vendors nearby to purchase credit. Some are even prepared to travel to far places to purchase prepaid credits.
I think such experience does not speak well of ECG because it could affect public trust in the company in its service delivery. This is the more reason why the ECG has to take the concerns raised by its customers seriously.
Kofi Bruce,
Mampong
Editorial
Our women can deliver
Dear Editor,
I write to congratulate the women that have so far caught the attention of President John Dramani Mahama for ministerial appointment.
So far, over 10 women have been vetted already and they all gave a very good account of themselves and I hope that they perform to the best of their abilities.
This is a good sign from President Mahama who demonstrated a strong resolve to provide an enabling environment for the women to be part of decision making by choosing a woman as his Vice President.
And true to his word, a number of women have been appointed in ministerial positions and others as presidential staffers.
I believe the other appointments to come would also have women making the cut.
This would be a morale booster for the young women out there who thinks that their position is the kitchen or in a man’s house as a wife.
This is a clear case of women given the urge to aim to rise above what society and traditional norms have set for them. I wish them well.
Maame Atta,
Kokompe
