First Sky presents Gh¢2million to Korle-Bu towards free treatment of kidney diseases

In order to ensure sustenance of its life-saving efforts toward vulnerable Ghanaians suffering from deadly kidney disease, the Acute Kidney Injury [AKI], management of indigenous Ghanaian company, First Sky Group of Companies, has fulfilled yet another pledge of donating a whopping Two Million Ghana Cedis [GH?2,000,000] to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, for the treatment of the disease free-of-charge, for all patients across the country.

The donation, which is the second payment in tranche to the hospital so far, is in fulfillment of a humanitarian agreement between the company and the hospital, upon a passionate appeal by the facility to the First Sky Group, which also fall in line with the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR].

The offer was presented to management of the Korle-Bu Hospital unannounced, last month, but has been confirmed by the Public Relations Officer [PRO] of the hospital, Mr. Mustapha Salifu.

The sustained donation from First Sky Group, therefore, means, some of these vulnerable patients who are mostly either young parents or middle-aged people battling with the illness, would now have a relief to undergo the treatment freely, without any hindrance.

In its request, the hospital said the need for intervention is very important because it will eliminate preventable deaths and which is in line with the goal of the International society of Nephrology [ISN] to reduce death from AKI to zero by 2025.

Confirming the latest donation to The Informer in an interview last Thursday, the PRO noted that the generous move by the management of First Sky Group of Companies by honouring their promise is a commendable step in right direction and worth emulation by other organizations.

According to him, the whopping 2million was handed over to management of the hospital, specifically in the first week of July this year.

The PRO stated categorically that, this donation comes as a “major relief” to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and will go a long way to protect and save more lives.

It would be recalled that in December last year, the First Sky Group led by its founder and Group Chairman, Mr. Eric Seddy Kutortse visited the Dialysis Unit where the bold step was made for the first donation.

At the time, the company’s Group Chairman also took up the responsibility by paying off, all accumulated debts of over GH¢ 635,000 owed by the patients, due to the highly expensive cost involved in the treatment, including donation of a brand new Toyota Pick-up to the dialysis unit.

According to the company, “it will make sure that this amount, anytime it is depleted, we will replenish it to ensure that this scheme never collapses”.

The Chairman assured Ghanaians that, the company would do a situational assessment of the state of affairs at the Renal Unit on a quarterly basis, in order to provide the required funding.

Hospital Denies Accusation

Meanwhile, the management of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital has denied completely, allegations that the facility has been collecting secretly, some monies from patients undergoing the free treatment, although the cure supposed to be carried out entirely free of charge.

But responding to the accusation, Mr. Mustapha said the claims are entirely untrue, explaining that the project is going on smoothly and treatment is still free as has been agreed on between the hospital and First Sky Group.

He, however, explained that, the treatment of the disease is done on two sessions in a week which is normal and has been paid for, by First Sky. On the contrary, in situations where the patient’s condition appeared worsen, such persons are made to undergo treatment on three sessions per week; but would be made to pay for the additional cost only, since the agreement between First Sky and the hospital covers only two sessions.

He also added that although the program is free, the agreement did not cover the cost of some minor items like folders and other little things, but only the medications which is the most very expensive but vital aspect.

Very amazed about the allegation, the hospital spokesperson said but for the intervention of the First Sky Group of Companies, most patients could not afford the treatment cost and many lives would have been lost.

To him, they can only appeal to the management of First Sky Group of Companies to ignore unfounded complaints and should not terminate the project, because if that happens more lives would be lost due to their inability to afford the medication.

The PRO, however, appealed to other organizations and entities to also come onboard to emulate the shining examples of First Sky Group of Companies to save lives, particularly of the vulnerable.

Stainless Record

The First Sky Group has been in operation for over 14 years of inspirational business in Ghana without any scandal and or bad record.

They also have the bragging right that, throughout the period of its existence, the company has operated on the principles of ‘honesty, integrity’ and, above all, ‘obedience to God’; and this feat has been the doing of the Lord.

Apart from the First Sky Construction being the mother company, it has subsidiaries suck as First Sky Commodities, Volta Serene Hotel, with Serene Insurance among others.

The Group Chairman often reiterates that, even though the company has been engaged in so many humanitarian projects, it is not good that whatever good thing one does for mankind, it should be put on rooftop for everyone to see.