Kumasi (Ashanti), 21 Jan. '99 - The government is to extend free medical treatment for the aged, pregnant women and children under five years at the government hospitals and clinics to private hospitals, clinics and maternity homes, Mr Samuel Nuamah-Donkor, Minister of Health, disclosed in Kumasi yesterday. He said the Government is also considering assisting some selected private hospitals, clinics and maternity homes in the provision of infrastructure, in-service training and quality health delivery. Mr Nuamah-Donkor made the disclosure when he visited four health institutions in the metropolis to acquaint himself with their facilities and problems. They are the Bomso Clinic, a specialised hospital, the West End Clinic at Patase Estates, the Shalom Maternity Home at Pankrono and the Baby Pearl Maternity Home at Buokrom Estates. The health minister said modalities for assistance to private health delivery institutions will have to be worked out to determine how best it will benefit those who will attend the clinics and maternity homes in terms of charges. Mr Nuamah-Donkor noted that the private sector in health delivery has for a long time been neglected, in spite of the fact that it accounts for a sizeable percentage of the country's health delivery. He said in line with government's policy to provide health services to every Ghanaian, therefore, the ministry will endeavour to give every necessary assistance and provide facilities being enjoyed in government health institutions to the private sector to reduce the pressure on the Korle-Bu and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospitals. Mr Nuamah-Donkor commended the private hospitals and clinics for their "immense help" by taking the load during the junior doctors' strike and gave the assurance that, his ministry will have a "very effective collaboration" with private practitioners and other professionals in the health sector.
Kumasi (Ashanti), 21 Jan. '99 - The government is to extend free medical treatment for the aged, pregnant women and children under five years at the government hospitals and clinics to private hospitals, clinics and maternity homes, Mr Samuel Nuamah-Donkor, Minister of Health, disclosed in Kumasi yesterday. He said the Government is also considering assisting some selected private hospitals, clinics and maternity homes in the provision of infrastructure, in-service training and quality health delivery. Mr Nuamah-Donkor made the disclosure when he visited four health institutions in the metropolis to acquaint himself with their facilities and problems. They are the Bomso Clinic, a specialised hospital, the West End Clinic at Patase Estates, the Shalom Maternity Home at Pankrono and the Baby Pearl Maternity Home at Buokrom Estates. The health minister said modalities for assistance to private health delivery institutions will have to be worked out to determine how best it will benefit those who will attend the clinics and maternity homes in terms of charges. Mr Nuamah-Donkor noted that the private sector in health delivery has for a long time been neglected, in spite of the fact that it accounts for a sizeable percentage of the country's health delivery. He said in line with government's policy to provide health services to every Ghanaian, therefore, the ministry will endeavour to give every necessary assistance and provide facilities being enjoyed in government health institutions to the private sector to reduce the pressure on the Korle-Bu and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospitals. Mr Nuamah-Donkor commended the private hospitals and clinics for their "immense help" by taking the load during the junior doctors' strike and gave the assurance that, his ministry will have a "very effective collaboration" with private practitioners and other professionals in the health sector.
