Apam Hospital receives 32,192 outpatients in 2007

Apam (C/R), March 3, GNA - The Out-Patient's Department (OPD) of Apam Catholic Hospital recorded 32,192 attendances in 2007 as compared to 24,444 in 2006. The hospital also recorded 1,014 child deliveries in the year as against 988 in 2006.

It performed 970 surgeries as against 966 in the previous year, Mr. Francis Yawson, Hospital Administrator said at an open-day organized by the hospital to showcase its performance in 2007 to the public. The open-day was instituted by the Gomoa District Directorate of Health to make health facilities in the area accountable to the people. Mr Yawson said 5,301 pregnant women attended ante-natal clinic in 2007 compared to 4,367 the previous year. He said 122 deaths were recorded in the year under review as against 147 recorded the previous year. He said 32 still births were recorded in 2007, down from 52 in 2006.

Mr Yawson appealed for additional staff to lessen the load of work on the staff, saying attendance had increased due to implementation of the national health insurance scheme. He appealed to the National Health Insurance Commission to review tariffs on drugs and services upwards due to increased pricing of drugs on the market.

Dr Ebenezer Amekah, Acting Medical Superintendent, expressed concern about the high number of deaths and still births being recorded and cautioned that the hospital would not accept any patient or woman in labour who had been kept at home for a longer period and was being brought to the hospital at point of death. He announced that the hospital had computerized services at all departments to enhance efficiency.

Mr Edmund Osei Kwakye, District Disease Control Officer, appealed to people of the area to have confidence in health facilities in the district and stop seeking cure in unrecognized prayer camps and with quack doctors. He appealed to the people to register with the health insurance scheme. The Apam Catholic Hospital was established by two Dutch Catholic Nuns in 1959. The facility now serves about 200 communities with population of over 225,000.