The Ghana Health Service in the Upper East Region has withdrawn utility fees charged patients accessing health care at various health care facility in the region.
[contextly_sidebar id=”acsN8pkeVyoCG4TrUHMrsXXiQoFmzwdw”]The implementation of utility fees charged patients took effect from Monday 15th June in the Upper East region and it was was in line with government directive to health facilities to foot their utility bills.
But Speaking to Citi News Medical Director of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Dr. Peter Baffoe said the fees have been withdrawn because of the massive public outcry over the earlier decision.
Patients were surcharged utility fees of GHC5.00 and GHC2.00 respectively for accessing health care at hospitals and CHPS centers.
Dr.Baffoe added that obviously if people come to the health facilities and cannot afford the utility charges it become difficult because they cannot be denied health care so due to this challenges.
The Regional Director of Health Service, Dr. Kuko Williams Awonnor held a meeting to review the matter.
“Am confirming that we have received communications from our Regional Director that after discussion the implementation of these utility levies for utility bills should be suspended immediately. so I also wrote immediately to the departments within the hospitals and CHIPS centers and this have been suspended so if anybody comes to Bolgatanga regional hospital right from this morning will not pay for utility bills ” Dr.Baffoe stressed.
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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana