Health care attendants in the Upper East Region are appealing to government to withdraw the policy that surcharges patients seeking health care at various facilities in the region.
These residents say failure to adhere to their plea will affect access to health care in the region.
Patients are charged GHC5.00 and GHC2.00 for utility bills respectively, a policy which came into effect on Monday 15th June.
Patients at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, told Citi News they were surprised at the development and are appealing to government to reconsider its decision.
They appealed to government to consider the poverty levels in the area and urgently intervene.
Medical Director at the Bolga Regional hospital, Dr. Baffour said management is considering exceptions for the vulnerable.
“There are discussions ongoing at management level as to whether pregnant women attending antenatal care should be excluded, we haven’t come to conclusion yet but there is a strong feeling from management that there should be excepted because of the interest the nation have with maternal care.”
In the mean time however, nursing mothers with special needs in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are excluded from paying the utility charges.
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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana