Health Minister, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye
The Municipal Chief Executive for the Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly, Mordecai Quarshie, has expressed gratitude to the Health minister, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, for his swift intervention in restoring power to the Lekma Hospital. The power outage had forced the hospital to rely solely on its standby generator on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
The Health Minister, who is also the former MP for the area, took immediate action to resolve the issue through both personal and official engagements with the Energy Ministry, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), and other partners. His efforts ensured that power was promptly restored Thursday July 18, 2024, alleviating the hospital's operational challenges.
The incumbent MP Nii Ayiku subsequently visited the hospital, Friday 19th July, 2024, in an attempt to sympathize with management of the facility after the issue was resolved.
In an interview, MCE Mordecai Quarshie expressed his appreciation for Dr. Okoe Boye’s dedication to the well-being of the hospital and its patients.
"We are deeply grateful to the Health Minister for his unwavering support and intervention. His dedication to the LEKMA Hospital his without question. And based on my interactions with him I want to assure residents of a long-term solution to this challenge." Quarshie stated.
The incident has also highlighted broader concerns regarding the funding of hospitals to cover their utility costs. Sources have disclosed that following the Health Minister’s intervention, the matter was discussed at the cabinet level, and steps are being taken to address the issue of power supply and payment by public health facilities nationwide.
Residents who were also affected by the situation have voiced their relief and gratitude for the restored power.
One resident, Nii Adjei Odamtey said; "We were very worried when the power went out, but now that it’s been restored we are happy. Dr. Okoe Boye's has always cared for our community, he has even rendered his services as a doctor for free, so were grateful for his continuous support."
Another resident, Odooley Annang, added; “We appreciate the Health Minister's efforts and hope that a long-term solution will be implemented soon."
The Health Minister's intervention has not only resolved the immediate crisis but has also sparked discussions on ensuring consistent power supply and financial stability for public health facilities across the country. The Lekma Hospital and its surrounding community are hopeful that these steps will lead to a more secure and reliable healthcare environment.
