Dr. Winfred Ofosu, the Eastern Regional Director of Ghana Health Service,has urged the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to be patient and tread cautiously in its latest threat to cut power supply to hospitals indebted to the company,citing potential fatalities.
He questioned if ECG can bring back the deceased when debts are eventually paid.
“We are committed to paying the debts. Cutting power to the hospitals will result in deaths. Will they bring back those who die when the debt is eventually paid?” Dr. Ofosu questioned
Dr. Winfred Ofosu underscored the commitment of the health directorate to address outstanding debts owed to ECG by health facilities in the region.
Despite acknowledging the obligation to pay for consumed electricity, he urged ECG to exercise patience and avoid disconnecting power to hospitals, highlighting the grave consequences that could ensue.
He also noted the inadequacy of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) reimbursements meant to cover utility bills, further complicating the situation for health facilities.
In the Eastern Region alone, hospitals owe ECG a staggering total of GHc21,031,322.
ECG has issued a warning to disconnect the administrative blocks of 91 hospitals across the country due to outstanding debts totaling GHC261 million.
Government has since June 2023 shifted responsibility of paying utility bills to health facilities making it difficult for he facilities to pay the huge debts.
The Association of Health Service Administrators, Ghana (AHSAG), is calling for an urgent review of the government’s directive requiring health facilities to pay utility bills.
AHSAG highlights the operational challenges and potential compromise of working capital resulting from the shift of responsibility in June 2023.
The association emphasizes the need for realistic tariffs and increased NHIS tariffs to offset rising utility costs, warning that the sustainability of health facilities’ operations is at risk without government intervention.
Source: Mybryfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
