Adequate supply of beds is undoubtedly an essential component of quality healthcare delivery across the globe.
In this regard, strenuous attempts are made by governments, benevolent individuals and organisations to resource hospitals with enough beds.
Unfortunately, in the case of St Lucas Hospital at Wiaga in the Upper East Region, the existence of adequate beds is a major challenge in the facility’s quest to provide quality healthcare for patrons.
Before now, the hospital which serves over 100,000 patients from the Upper East Region and certain parts of Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire, had only 39 beds.
During the peak farming season (raining season), the hospital becomes overstretched; thereby forcing authorities to accommodate patients on mats.
Thankfully, courtesy a kind donation by Agricultural Manufacturing Group (AMG), the undesirable situation has been temporarily abated.
The indigenous fertiliser manufacturing company has donated 40 beds with 10 more awaiting delivery valued at GH¢ 80,000 to the hospital.
Presenting the items, Mr. Isaac Berchie Opoku, Marketing Manager of AMG – speaking on behalf of Managing Director Mr. Ernest Appiah, said the donation was inspired by the ‘no bed syndrome’ that has bedevilled the country’s healthcare sector for many years.
He is hopeful the presentation will go a long way to improve health care delivery at the hospital.
“The northern regions constitute close to 90% of our incomes because that is where the bulk of our customers are; thus, equipping their hospital is worthwhile,” Mr. Berchie intimated.
While plans are far afoot to construct a maternity and children’s clinic in the area, AMG envisages donating 50 more beds to other health facilities in the district.
“We’re vigorously doing these as our contribution toward the country’s quest to achieve goal three (3) of the Sustainable Development Goals on health,” the marketing manager emphasised.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility activities, the company has constructed business incubation hubs and given seed-money to over 100 university students for their start-up businesses.
Also, the company has partnered the Ministry of Agriculture in providing extension services to farmers across the country.
Demonstration farms have also been developed in selected growing areas to demonstrate to farmers proper fertilizer application techniques.
Resident Medical Director of the facility, Dr Bismarck P. Lambon, in his remarks said, the hospital needs more beds now than ever because of the on-going construction of female and paediatric wards by the community and some donors.
He revealed that the facility was built by a group of humanitarian Roman Fathers in the 1950s and was upgraded to a hospital status in 2019.
Father George, resident father of the hospital, was full of praise for the donation.
He stressed it was about time the sick was treated with dignity in the country’s hospitals.
Father George asked God’s blessings on the company, promising the hospital’s resolve to safeguard the longevity of the beds.
Father George (left), resident father of the hospital receiving the items while other people look on admirably
