Management of Eastern Regional Hospital has abolished feeding of Patients under medical detention.
Patients who are detained for non-payment of medical bills were previously fed by the hospital until they mobilize money to pay.
However, in the latest decision by the Management of the hospital, patients discharged but still in the hospital for not able to pay their medical bills will not be fed by the hospital.
The decision is among the new financial reforms introduced by the hospital to contain cost, reduce patient’s indebtedness and maximize revenue mobilization
The hospital has also subtly reintroduced cash and carry system demanding that patients make part payment of their medical bills before admitted or performed surgery on them.
The new Management of the Hospital has over the years expressed grave concerns over huge financial losses to none -payment of medical bills by patients
In 2018 for instance, the hospital lost about Ghc350,000 to about 75 poor and needy patients who could not pay their Medical bills hence absconded while some 212 signed undertaken to pay their bills in installments which most could not fulfill their promise.
Again, a total of four hundred and thirty-one (431) patients treated and discharged at the hospital between January and June 2020 deferred payment of their medical bills through the intervention of the Department of Social Welfare and subsequently released from medical detention.
Under the new financial reforms, patients could only sign undertaking for deferred payment only when he or she has made 50% payment of their medical bills.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Koforidua
