Management of the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua has partially reintroduced the cash and carry system into healthcare delivery.
A memo intercepted by Mybrytfmonline.com issued by management dated February 9, 2021, directed that effective February 5, 2021; medical care must be restricted to any patient on admission who fails to make part payment of their medical bills within 72 hours.
The hospital will however attend to such patients only on condition of emergency or as requested by in- charge of the units
Management of the hospital led by the Medical Director Dr. Arko Akoto Ampaw also directed for a compulsory deposit payment be made by patients or pregnant women before admitted for elective surgery.
The decision is part of measures to maximize revenue generation in the face of financial difficulties facing the hospital.
The Eastern Regional Hospital is a referral Hospital for all 33 Districts and Municipalities in the Region.
In 2019, the hospital saw a general increase in all attendances. Whereas OPD attendance increased from 237,870 in 2018 to 266,296 in 2019. In-patient increased by from 21,014 in 2018 to 21,447 in 2019.
Similarly, average daily OPD attendance rose from 826 in 2018 to 927 in 2019 with a corresponding increase in average daily admissions from 58 in 2018 to 59 in 2019.
The current directive has been criticized by a section of the public in the region stating that Covid-19 has afflicted hardship on many families therefore cash and carry will deny the poor healthcare services.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Koforidua
