NGO settles medical bills of detained patients

Accra, Sept. 18, GNA - The management of Passion for Needy Association, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that supports the needy and underprivileged in society, on Thursday paid GH¢772.50, to settle medical bills of four patients detained at the Ridge Hospital in Accra.

They were, Mr. Jonathan Armah, 30, who was involved in a lorry accident and discharged a week ago but could not settle his medical bill of GH¢450.

Madam Priscilla Kyewaa's one-year-old son, Derrick Katey, was detained for two weeks for her inability to pay the medical bill of GH¢98 while Madam Janet Mensah's three-year-old son, Israel Amoah, was detained for two weeks after treatment for malaria but could not pay the medical bill of GH¢94.50.

The NGO paid GH¢130 as the medical bills for the fourth patient a boy abandoned by his parents because of their inability to settle the bill.

Each was given an additional GH¢20 for transportation home. The bills were paid on behalf of the management by Mr Samuel Sackey, an Executive Member of the NGO who announced that plans were underway to acquire land at Anomabo in the Central Region to construct facilities to accommodate the aged and physically challenged in society. Dr. George Acquaye, Medical Officer in charge of the Ridge Hospital confirmed that beneficiaries of the gesture really needed help to be able to settle their bills.

He thanked Passion for Need for their benevolence and encouraged them to do more to others who may be in need. Madam Kyewaa on behalf of the beneficiaries thanked the management for their kind gesture.

The NGO was formed on August 11, 2009 and has spent about GH¢2,000 on the medical bills of needy patients so far.