Committee investigates closure of Iran Clinic

Accra, Sept 22, GNA - The Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare on has set up a three-member committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the closure of Iran Clinic in Accra about two months ago.

Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, the sector minister, said on Wednesday that the committee comprises a representative each from the Ministry of Health, the Embassy of Iran and the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare.

The committee has three weeks to report to the ministry to enable it to recommend firm measures to ensure efficiency and uninterrupted services when the clinic is re-opened.

Alhaji Mumuni, on a familiarisation visit to the clinic, said "the ministry considers whatever led to the closure of the clinic as an unacceptable interruption of health care to the poor.

He called on stakeholders "to co-operate to ensure that the measures to be introduced achieve efficiency and effectiveness in the successful running of the clinic. The Minister met workers of the clinic to assure them that "an acceptable solution will be arrived at" once the clinic is re-opened "in the next 10 days" when current refurbishment is completed.

Mr Kiomars Fotouhi Ghiam, Irani Ambassador in Ghana, said the refurbishment would involve the Out-Patients' shed and a video installed to educate mothers on HIV/AIDS and malaria while modern equipment would be installed in various departments.

He said the the Iranian Government would build one of such clinics at Tamale, saying that the one in Accra was "heavily subsidised by my Government."