A number of Ghanaians have complained to Citi News that they are forced to pay exorbitant fees at private health facilities for MRI scans due to the breakdown of government-owned machines.

[contextly_sidebar id=”HZC1ioNfc9BYS7lxS0NBxr7Fw41SBBaU”]Speaking to Citi News, the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman Manu, said although they are working on dealing with the challenges, he was not aware of the difficulty at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

“I don’t know of the situation in Korle Bu, it is my major concern. I have asked the parent company that produces the equipment to come for some testing, and they have sent me a report and I  thought it had been fixed. I remembered saying to them that, if it was getting very bad they should find a way to refill and we will talk about it later,” he said.

He added that his office has admitted the challenges and is working to have the problem addressed.

A report filed by Citi FM’s Eugenia Tenkorang revealed that a number of distressed people were turned away by Ghana’s biggest health facility, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital because the CT and MRI scan machines have all broken down.

These patients had no other alternatives than to go to private facilities which charge higher fees.

‘EOCO investigates‘

The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO),  investigated the breakdown of MRI and CT scan machines at some five major government hospitals across the country.

But the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, revealed that “EOCO is investigating the project that installed the MRIs in the hospitals that are not working. They have not completed their investigations so we haven’t gotten any report from them yet.”

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘Broken down MRI machines my major concern’- Agyeman Manu appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This donation was preceded by the formation of Ghana’s first human charity chain which involved thousands of hands.

Speaking to the press at the donation ceremony, Richard Adjei, Managing Director of Kasapreko Company Limited, manufacturers of Awake Purified Drinking Water, indicated that “since our ability to make a real impact depends on everyone who drinks Awake Water, we wanted to share this success with all the people who had trusted and supported us, that is why on this Valentine’s Day we have involved communities, friends, families and all people in Accra to be part of our donation to the Korle Bu Cardiothoracic Centre.”

He further explained that Awake Purified Water’s “One4Life” project had so far saved 30 needy patients at the Korle Bu Heart Centre and donated a total of GHC 470,000 to the Cardiothoracic centre so far.

The Brands Manager for Soft Drinks & Water at Kasapreko Company Limited, Chris Addo-Sarkodie in shedding more light on the charity focus of Awake Purified Mineral Water, noted that the human charity chain and the donation was a way of demonstrating to Ghanaians that their 1 pesewa contribution to the National Cardiothoracic Center per purchase of a bottle of Awake Purified Drinking Water was being used for its intended purpose.

The human charity chain stretched from the Kasapreko Headquarters to Korle-Bu as individuals joined hands and hearts to show togetherness and inspire the sense of communism Awake Water embodied.

Dr. Lawrence Sereboe, Head of the Cardiothoracic Centre, received the cheque on behalf the Centre and used the opportunity to express the Centre’s gratitude to Awake Purified Drinking Water and Kasapreko Company Limited for sustaining their commitment to the Centre.

He also used the opportunity to entreat corporate bodies and individuals to follow suit and support the centre to save more lives.

The Ghc120,000 donation which was made under the “One4Life” campaign was in respect of contributions made in the last quarter of 2017

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to the Head of Administration at EOCO, Seidu Adams, they were inspired to do this after one of their colleagues urgently needed blood, and they had to fall on some staff members for help.

He said the initiative also forms part of the agency’s corporate social responsibilities.

“This exercise actually is informed by the fact that we recognize that as an institution we are part of corporate Ghana. As corporate Ghana, we also have certain social responsibilities apart from our mandate as a law enforcement institution. This exercise of blood donation was informed by a situation where one of us needed blood and we had to organize our staff to go and donate. When we told our staff about the situation, the response was so overwhelming. And from that call, we realized that there is the need to extend it to the larger society. That is what informed our action, It was a free will thing, it was not forced,” he said

“When there was a need for us to give a colleague, it was tremendous and overwhelming, we didn’t have to put up a notice. I just called the heads of department to inform them of the situation at hand. Within the next 15 minutes, I could count about 15 when we needed only three pints of blood. So it was that situation that we realized that people are willing to give to society, so we took it from there.”

EOCO is a specialized state agency tasked with a responsibility to monitor and investigate economic and organised crime, and on the authority of the Attorney General, prosecute offences to recover proceeds from crimes committed.

Seidu Adams said there was an agreement with the Korle-Bu Blood Bank to help coordinate and facilitate the exercise.

He called on other corporate institutions to follow their path to help save lives.

“We are social beings, we are human beings and as human beings we need to fit, we also have to recognize the fact that sickness is part of life and growth, so giving it out, it’s really good for all of us. So we encourage other institutions to join in” he added.

Akosua Brefewaa, a donor recruitment officer, in outlining the qualification criteria for the donation of blood, said  “You are supposed to be between the ages of 17 to 60, and when you come, you are supposed to have a good blood level which we will check for you, we check your BP, we check your pulse, so we just do some mini medical screening, and if you are successful, then you are allowed to donate.”

“The qualification basically is on your health status, it has nothing to do with heights or your size, but if you have a good blood level, you have a good body weight, which should be 50kg and above. You are within the ages of 17 to 60, you are not diabetic, you are not pregnant, you are not breastfeeding, yes, you can donate blood.”

She pledged the support of the Korle-Bu Blood Bank to any corporate institution interested in holding a blood donation exercise.would like to embark on this exercise.

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By: Ann-Shirley Ziwu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post EOCO staff donate blood to Korle-Bu Blood Bank appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This follows the successful commissioning of a new GH¢ 10 million mother and baby unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi by the Rebecca Foundation, which is run by the First Lady.

[contextly_sidebar id=”RwBGGBtdanHTGvHZfntdPL9SQLZFZxBs”]Announcing the decision, Mrs. Akufo-Addo said the project was to show her commitment to women and children in the area of health and economic well-being, in order to help the country achieve its Sustainable Development Goals.

“The Rebecca Foundation is committed to the welfare of women and children. We have started a number of initiatives to address social issues. The Foundation has an initiative called Rebecca’s Special Initiative, which executed the Komfo Anokye mother and baby unit. We are currently supporting Korle Bu to build a hostel for parents of children receiving cancer treatment. Our next project under Rebecca’s Special Initiative is the construction of an intensive care unit at the children’s block of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, in February.”

She further called for support and funding from corporate organizations and Ghanaians to fast-track the construction of the project.

“The Sustainable development Goal 3 enjoins us to ensure healthy lives and promotes well-being for all, at all ages. This includes taking steps to lower our maternal and infant mortality rates. My hope is that projects like this, together with needed interventions like the elimination of mother to child HIV transmission, will get us closer to achieving our maternal and infant mortality goals,” she said.

“We are better together. We are capable of solving our challenges. We are capable of developing our own country given our enormous natural and human resources. Again I will be calling on Ghanaians to help the Foundation do this.”

The 30-bed hostel facility meant for intensive care will help provide accommodation for child cancer patients and their parents. It is expected to cost about two million Ghana cedis.

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By: Felicia Osei/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Work on Korle-Bu children’s ICU begins February – First Lady appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

CHRAJ was petitioned by a group calling itself the Dynamic Youth Movement of Ghana, after the two had been exonerated by controversial investigations by the Criminal Investigations Department [CID].

[contextly_sidebar id=”xWp58ZGHv7bBFY9fCCwRoSIM1vfwBuOT”]In September, A-Plus took to Facebook to make vague allegations against President Nana Akufo-Addo’s two Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Francis Asenso-Boakye and Abu Jinapor.

It later emerged that the accusations had to do with the two putting pressure on the CEO of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Felix Anyah, to give back an on-site revenue-collection contract at the hospital to UniBank after the same contract had been terminated.

In a document containing its findings, sighted by Citi News, CHRAJ said it was “satisfied that the evidence does not support the allegations of corruption and abuse of power against Messrs A. Jinapor and Asenso Boakye… the allegations could not be substantiated whatsoever.”

“Accordingly, this complaint is hereby dismissed as being without merit and totally unwarranted,” CHRAJ concluded.

CHRAJ noted that, the “relations between A-Plus and the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff appeared “frosty” and may have accounted for the allegations Mr. Obeng leveled against the two.

It noted that “a possible strained relationship between Mr. Kwame Asare Obeng and Mr. Asenso-Boakye might have been extended to Mr. Jinapor as well. That could possibly be the ulterior motive for the allegations Mr. Asare Obeng leveled against the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff.

CID controversy

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID), which also investigated the claims, also found the allegations baseless.

But its investigation was marred by some controversy after an audio recording said to be a leaked recording of a conversation between the then-Deputy Director of the CID, ACP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah and A-Plus, in which the police officer was heard advising A-Plus to deny the allegations because is a member of the NPP.

ACP Addo-Danquah denied the suggestions of a cover-up, and accused A-Plus of doctoring the circulating audio, but the matter did not proceed further.

Observers believed that this audio compromised the integrity of the CID, and that its outcome into the investigations could not be trusted.

Despite the confusion between ACP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, and her perceived misconduct, she was surprisingly promoted in rank, and also appointed as the acting Director General of the CID, after her immediate boss was allegedly forced to resign.

She moved from ACP to DCOP.

Background to Unibank, Korle bu issues

The onsite banking services at Korle Bu were needed to deal with revenue leaks that had saddled the hospital.

In 2015, six banks were shortlisted to undergo a competitive selection process where Stanbic Bank emerged first and UniBank was fourth.

But when the hospital submitted the names of the two banks to the Controller and Accountant General’s Department for approval, issues were raised about weaknesses in UniBank’s operations in two other hospitals.

Korle Bus still went ahead to sign an MoU appointing UniBank to simultaneously collect revenue in the Hospital with Stanbic Bank.

As the two banks started the onsite banking services, the revenue leaks persisted, and the hospital’s management decided to adopt an End-to-End Hospital Revenue Collection Software to integrate and network its operations.

Stanbic Bank and UniBank were both requested to submit proposals for an End-to-End Hospital Revenue Collection Software in 2015.

Stanbic Bank successfully presented an efficient software, while UniBank was alleged to have failed to turn up during the two presentation sessions, thus the hospital awarded the contract to Stanbic Bank.

Unibank, however denied missing the presentation, but said it was sidelined by the hospital.

The End-to-End Hospital Revenue Collection Software was also said to be not compatible with the UniBank’s system, thus the hospital decided to discontinue the MoU with UniBank in order to enable Stanbic Bank to deploy the new software throughout the entire Hospital.

But this was followed by the hospital rescinding the decision.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post CHRAJ clears Asenso-Boakye, Jinapor of corruption allegations appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This revelation was made on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, by consultant plastic surgeon and Director of the National Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Center at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Opoku-Ware Ampomah.

He noted that, burns from gas explosions account for about 44% of deaths recorded at the burns centre.

[contextly_sidebar id=”mne9uRoEj6yMz5t5t3mCsB1ImGtbEBwb”]“Most of the burns are domestic. I’d say about 80 percent are domestic. Occasionally, we have a bit where there is mass casualty situation. About 35 to 40 percent of the fuel burns admissions are from petroleum and gas explosions. So they account for a significant junk of the burns cases that we receive. And because of the severity of the injuries that they get, they account for over 44% of the death from burns annually,” he noted.

Dr. Ampomah made the revelation on the back of fuel explosions recorded nationwide with the recent one being the gas explosion that occurred last Saturday at Atomic junction near the University of Ghana in Accra.

In that explosion, seven people perished, while 132 others suffered various degrees of injury.

Over 30 people have died since 2014 due to gas explosions.

NHIS pays GHc1, 000 out of GHc30, 000 spent on burns patients

Dr. Ampomah also disclosed that, burns patients spend an average of GHc30, 000, but the country’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) covers only GHc1, 000.

He said a lot more burns patients die because they are unable to pay for such charges.

“When somebody sustains about 30 or 40 percent, by the time they leave the hospital, they would have spent not less than GHc30, 000 on their treatment, and this is the acute treatment alone – I’m talking of the immediate care to get them discharged from the hospital… And at the moment, the health insurance scheme only provides just about a GHc1, 000 per burns patient.”

“So if you have somebody with just 30% burns who needs an average of about GHc30, 000 in an acute state, and health insurance is providing only GHc1, 000 for the treatment, then you can imagine the kind of difficulty the person will go through,” he noted.

The plastic surgeon explained that, although some philanthropists subsidize the amount, Dr. Ampomah noted that, the patients still struggle to bear the cost.

“Most of the time we have to find a way of getting benevolent people to subsidize the treatment of some of these patients, and that also adds to the mortality because there are many patients who cannot just afford the treatment that is required,” he added.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post 40% burns cases at Korle Bu are from gas explosions – Surgeon appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He noted on the Citi Breakfast Show that the media tends to focus on the fatalities in the immediate aftermath of an accident.

[contextly_sidebar id=”rcB58xUhTgS0vk8UV6NGCbPznGbq80HL”]Citi News estimates pegged the number of deaths from the major gas explosions from 2014, minus the June 3 fire and flood disaster, at a little over 30.

But the delicate nature of burn injuries, both physically and psychologically, leaves victims at the risk of death even a year after the incidents.

To enforce this concern, Dr. Abdalla, who was a medical officer at the Winneba Government Hospital, recalled the coverage of fatalities from a massive gas explosion at Winneba following a road crash involving a gas tanker in March 2009.

An assessment of media reports at the time indicates that between 12 and 21 deaths were noted.

The reports noted that, about 35 people who received severe burns and were rushed to the Winneba Government Hospital, were later referred to Korle-Bu and 37 Military hospitals in Accra.

But even the report of 21 fatalities from the explosion fell way short of the eventual number of deaths, which increased by 100 percent, unbeknownst to the media.

Dr. Abdallah said “we all know from the Winneba incident that 42 eventually died; 42 Ghanaians including women and children. Some were pregnant women and I was able to get these facts because I was able to follow the patients that had been referred to Korle-Bu.”

The more recent explosion at Nungua Zongo in 2014 was reported to have just one fatality, with five others injured.

But the fatalities, in this case, were also not followed up on as the explosion eventually recorded maximum fatalities.

“…that same night, a young girl of nine years died in Korle Bu. Later on, the mother of the child and the other three siblings and the young man who had come to fix the gas cylinder for them when the incident occurred also died in Korle Bu within a period of about three weeks. But nobody captured it and that family has actually been wiped out from that gas explosion,” Dr. Abdallah disclosed.

Depression and suicide would also have to be factored into the equation when accessing the casualties of such accidents because “some would ave severe burns such that it’s so debilitating they may have depression because they can’t even come into public. Some have even taken their own lives and some of these deaths are not reported,” he explained.

Going by these examples, the physician said he “could confidently say that we usually under-report these [fatalities from gas explosions].”

His comments follow the massive Atomic Junction explosion where only seven fatalities have been so far recorded.

Dr. Abdallah said getting the reportage right was important because it allows Ghanaians to appreciate how “grave the issues are.”

“When we know that so many lives are involved, a family has been wiped out, we may then begin to look at it again… it appears for us that some of these numbers are what will push people to act and recognize the fact that when these things happen, so many lives are lost.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com

The post Deaths from fuel explosions grossly under-reported – Surgeon appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

There have been claims that staff at the hospital deliberately deny patients services that the facility is supposed to offer, and instead directing them to private institutions which they own.

[contextly_sidebar id=”60VQ3BpoQ2waVO4YUaZMDC4jS6KzfIHj”]The President of the Association, Charles Offei Palm, speaking on Eyewitness News on Monday, accused past executives of the hospital whom he claimed presided over corruption during their tenures, of trying to push the blame on the staff of the hospital.

“It’s a bad perception about us and that’s not right. These are being peddled by failed CEOs and failed Board Chairmen who in their zeal to justify their wrongdoing and corruption, tend to put the blame on staff,” he said.

“What was your role when you were CEO and Board Chairman? They are just noises being put out to the media to malign hardworking staff. Look at the number of staff we have and the work that we do, nobody talks about that.”

He explained that, the patients were directed to other facilities because the drugs they needed were not immediately available at the hospital.

He pointed to the fact that, instead of stocking up on the drugs for the hospital, officials instead procured expensive cars among others.

“We [told management] that the lab and pharmacy were collapsing, people would come in the middle of the night, but they wouldn’t get the drugs they need. If the management doesn’t provide the drugs, I have to show the patient where they can get it. That, to me is providing pharmaceutical care,” he said in defence of the staff.

“Where there have been instances where the services have not been provided, the patient must go out and get those services. That is different from when services are available, but the patients are redirected, which isn’t right. If you are in a hospital and you see people buying luxury cars and taking fat allowances but common drugs aren’t available, it gives you the power to fight corruption.”

On the warpath again

KOSSA has had several run-ins with the previous management of the hospital in recent years.

Last April, Charles Offei Palm was interdicted by the management of the hospital for “flouting the hospital’s media policy” by granting an interview to an Accra based radio station.

Prior to that, KOSSA sued the management of the hospital for initiating processes to sanction five of its members for accusing the management of corruption and mismanagement.

The members of the Association resorted to the Accra High Court to ask the court to among others, declare disciplinary procedures against them null and void.

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘Failed CEOs, Board Chairmen’ accusing us wrongly – Korle Bu Staff appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

KOSSA in a statement signed by its president, Charles Nii Kwade Ofei-Palm, said inasmuch as the issues being raised are relevant to the progress of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, and must be pursued to its logical conclusion, “this must be done without the current public accusations and counter accusations.”

“KOSSA therefore wish to appeal to the Hospital administration whose leadership has led to the peace the hospital is currently enjoying, and UniBank, which is also engaged in providing invaluable services to the hospital. KOSSA also recognizes the impact the public disagreement has on the operations of the institution, and strongly advocates for the cessation of all media banter, while we and other stakeholders take steps to amicably resolve the differences in ways that will inure to the benefit of our patients and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital,” KOSSA added.

[contextly_sidebar id=”4vEJLSyukvhQUfMzM9dI7sQREN2IbKR5″]The Senior Staff also appealed to President Akufo-Addo as well as the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman Manu, to help support the current efforts being made “at rebuilding Korle Bu and restoring its status as the Premier Teaching Hospital by the current CEO, Dr. Felix Anyah.”

Background

Management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital had decided to abrogate its contract with UniBank for the collection of revenue on its behalf.

The management of the hospital had complained about UniBank’s compatibility shortcomings with the End-to-End Hospital Revenue Collection Software which they said essentially led to revenue losses.

The hospital in a press statement, among other things accused UniBank of skipping a meeting to submit proposals for a new software for dealing with the revenue leaks.

It said Stanbic Bank, one of the institutions it engaged for the revenue collection project successfully presented a proposal, and was awarded the contract to pilot the new software in the entire hospital, which was valued at $240,000.

But Unibank debunked the claims describing it as “a total fabrication.”

UniBank doesn’t understand that we’re losing money

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer for Korle Bu, Mustapha Salifu, has insisted that UniBank Ghana Limited is yet to grasp the extent to which the hospital made losses due to the End-to-End Hospital Revenue Collection Software contract.

“If UniBank actually stated that we lied about revenue losses in the hospital, then it means they actually have not appreciated the complexities of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, and the reason for which we are asking for a system that will enable us to automate the service so that we will reduce human interference,” he said in a Citi News interview.

The A-Plus factor

The issue came to the limelight following some corruption allegations musician A-Plus, against two presidential staffers, Francis Asenso-Boakye and Abu Jinapor.

A-Plus’ allegations had to do with a petition by UniBank to the effect that the management of Korle-Bu had abrogated the existing Memorandum of Understanding with them without any reason, thus treating them unfairly.

A-Plus held that the two presidential staffers played a role in the matter, but his allegations were later described as “baseless” an investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department.

–

By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Korle Bu Senior staff call for ceasefire over UniBank contract appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The back and forth between the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and UniBank over the End-to-End Hospital Revenue Collection Software continues, with the hospital’s Public Relations Officer Mustapha Salifu saying the bank is yet to understand the situation on the ground.

[contextly_sidebar id=”bqaylorisfHMiuMP5XAFSR7wOIwvdWeR”]”If UniBank actually stated that we lied about revenue losses in the hospital, then it means they actually have not appreciated the complexities of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, and the reason for which we are asking for a system that will enable us to automate the service so that we will reduce human interference,” he said in a Citi News interview.

These complexities initially compelled Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to abrogate a contract it had with UniBank to provide some onsite banking services because of some compatibility issues with the Revenue Collection Software.

But the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital’s management ended up rescinding the termination of the contract which it said has compromised the hospital’s revenue collection.

UniBank disputed the hospital’s account and dismissed the allegations of revenue losses persisting under its management of on-site banking services.

The Hospital said UniBank skipped a meeting to submit proposals for the End-to-End Hospital Revenue Collection Software in 2015, but the bank responded by saying it was rather sidelined in the bidding process for the contract.

Workers stealing money

As the dispute continues, Mr. Salifu maintains that, the current system being employed by UniBank allowed for persons “to under-bill; so that the patients can go and pay less and the hospital will lose. But then, the bill assessor will then have the opportunity of keeping some of the money in his or her pocket.”

UniBank has dared the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to back claims that it did not turn up for the bidding process.

Mr. Salifu is sure that the hospital is in the position to substantiate its claims against the bank.

“I have been informed on authority that invitations were extended to them to do presentations to the End-to-End Hospital Revenue Collection Software, at the appropriate time, we will be provided evidence to that effect… we are waiting for the finance directorate to pull out the evidence so that we can put them in the public domain,” he explained.

In the meantime, Mr. Salifu reminded that the hospital still reports to the Ministry of Health so “whatever advice is given from the ministry, the hospital will comply, which is exactly why the hospital has rescinded the decision to abrogate the contract with UniBank.”

The A-Plus factor

The issue came to the limelight following some corruption allegations musician A-Plus, against two presidential staffers, Francis Asenso-Boakye and Abu Jinapor.

A-Plus’ allegations had to do with a petition by UniBank to the effect that the management of Korle-Bu had abrogated the existing Memorandum of Understanding with them without any reason, thus treating them unfairly.

A-Plus held that the two presidential staffers played a role in the matter, but his allegations were later described as “baseless” an investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department.

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By: Felecia Osei/Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post UniBank doesn’t understand, we’re losing money – Korle Bu appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.