Tema, Aug. 29, GNA- Dr Wisdom Amegbletor, Medical Director of New

Crystal Health Services (NCHS) on Friday called on health professionals to be sensitive to the needs of their clients. Dr Amegbletor, who made the call at the inauguration of the Tema Branch of the New Crystal Hospital, said any medical personnel who was insensitive to the health needs of clients was rude and does not perform his or her duties to the best of his or her professional ability. He observed that a client was not just a case of malaria, hypertension or diabetes, "but a person with emotional, financial, social and spiritual needs, which must be identified and managed accordingly".

Dr Amegbletor stressed the need for health professionals to treat patients in the same way as they wish to be treated. He said Management of NCHS, in partnership with the communities in which it operates had formed Client Feedback Teams, whose duty was "to monitor our operations with eagle eyes, and to bring to our attention any shortfalls they notice in both our operations and the actions or inactions of our staff". Dr Amegbletor said in addition to orthodox medicine and spiritual support, NCHS practiced herbal and complementary medicine to provide total care for its clients.

He said the service would venture into research into plant medicine, to provide safe and efficacious herbal preservations to reduce the cost of health care. Dr Amegbletor used the occasion to launch a weekly newsletter entitled: "Stay Alive, as part of NCHS corporate social responsibility and community education initiative. "This is only one of the many ways we intend to engage meaningfully with our communities. It also reflects our change in philosophy to inform our decision to change our motto from service to humanity to service to God, country and man".

Mr Joseph Adjetey Adjei, General Manager of NCHS pledged the Hospital's determination to provide good quality and affordable health care. Mr Peter Arhin, a Deputy Director at the Ministry of Health, said the Ministry welcomed health partnership between communities and health institutions, to ensure the safety care of patients. Dr Charles Valdon-Odonkor, a retired medical practitioner, commended the Management and Staff of NCHS for their positive contributions towards health delivery in the Tema Metropolis, and urged them not to be complacent, but to strive to attain greater heights. Mrs Florence Larbi, General Manager of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, underscored the need for cordial relationship between patients and health service providers. Nii Adjei Kraku II, Tema Mantse, who chaired the function, cut the tape to formerly inaugurate the Hospital and urged people in the Metropolis to patronize the facility so that the purpose for its establishment would be achieved.

The Hospital, which attracted the cost of GH¢150,000 is one of the four affiliates of NCHS, with the other three at Adjei-Kojo, Michel Camp and Ashaiman Night Market Area. It would provide general medical care including General Consultation, Ante-Natal, Maternity, Post-Natal, Circumcision and Counselling. Specialist services such as Dental, Gynaecology, Massage, Eye Clinic and Acupuncture among other things would be available at the Hospital. 29 Aug. 09