JOY FM has discovered that some nurses at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital are making money with a concept that does not appear to have the blessing of the hospital authorities.
A JOY FM correspondent, Kwainoo Haizel discovered at the hospital that some nurses at the maternity block demand two thousand cedis from nursing mothers before their babies are bathed. On Friday, 25th February, a woman who had just given girth to a baby and could not afford the fees demanded by the nurses was saved by a Good Samaritan who paid for her.
When another mother enquired about what the money is used for, she was told it is meant to maintain a small radio at the floor. It is not too clear whether the two thousand cedis is part of the hospitals attempt to generate income.
Hospital authorities JOY FM spoke to denied any knowledge of the act but said they will investigate the allegation and bring the culprits to book. They asked patients to insist on receipts and report any action they think is wrong for redress.
A nurse at the hospital said there were some forms of revenue generation going on at the wards in the light of the unavailability of inputs such as gloves. She was however hopeful that the ?bathing fee? is not someone?s strategy of getting rich.
The Maternity floor helps deliver at least 50 babies daily. That means the fees charged for bathing can amount to 100,000 cedis of revenue daily. The question being asked is who pockets the bathing fee go.
