Management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has launched a trust fund to help support delivery of quality health care at Ghana’s premier hospital.
The fund among others will be a source of funding for the treatment of patients who need immediate emergency care but cannot afford or whose treatment is not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme.
[contextly_sidebar id=”WhI9v6bD5No2wDpvak1sUDhTVzsty2BU”]Speaking at the launch of the fund, Board Chair of the Teaching Hospital, Prof Anthony Sallah also said the setting up of the trust fund has become necessary due to the delays in the payment of NHIS claims.
“Best patient care means constant availability of equipment, consumables, constant supply of water, electricity etc. There are major things that the state will provide but given the system in place, where NHIS payment is only made after patient care has been rendered and verified, the elapsed time results in late receipt of payment which directly becomes a major challenge on replacing valuable equipment, consumables etc at short notice.”
Meanwhile, the Health Minister, Alex Segbefia who represented President John Mahama at the launch called for contributions from corporate bodies and philanthropists to help “address some outstanding infrastructure and equipment needs of the hospital.”
He however challenged the fund handlers to put together credible packages to lure donors to support.
“Much as the idea of a trustees fund is laudable, it will not achieve its set objectives without some very hard work. I wish to urge that you craft credible and attractive packages that beckon the corporate world to invest in the KBTH trust fund.”
Mr Segbefia also called on Management of the facility to be ready to “open up for greater scrutiny when private resources are injected into your operations at the hospital”, further adding, “there is therefore the need to include the principles of transparency and accountability into all operations of the fund”.
The board of trustees for the fund are Justice Senyo Dzamefe, a Justice of the Appeals Court, Rebecca Okai, a procurement consultant, Lawrence Adotey Addo, a business executive and CEO of RELISH, Nana Obokomatta IX, an entrepreneur, Seth Adjei Baah, business executive and Chairman, Shaaba Group of Comapnies, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Chairman Jospong Group and Nikoi Amasa, Head of Training, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.
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By Eugenia Tenkorang/citifmonline.com/Ghana