Buruli Ulcer patients to pay cost of treatment

Buruli Ulcer patients from outside the Amansie West District of Ashanti would now have to pay the full cost of treatment at the Saint Martin's Hospital at Agroyesum in spite of the government's exemption policy.

The decision, described by the hospital's Management as painful and unfortunate, has become necessary to prevent work at the hospital grinding to a virtual halt. Dr Samuel Atuafful, the Medical Superintendent, announced this during a pastoral visit to the facility by the Apostolic Nuncio in-charge of Ghana and Togo, the Most Reverend George Kocherry on Monday.

The decision, he said, followed Ministry of Health pegging at eight million cedis a month, refunds on exemptions in respect of Buruli ulcer treatment. Dr Atuafful said between January and May, 23 million cedis that should have been refunded under the exemptions policy remained unpaid as a result of the Ministry's position. "This certainly cannot be allowed to continue."

He said about 60 per cent of people suffering from the debilitating ulcer, who report for treatment at the hospital come from outside its catchment area. The Medical Superintendent said they have, therefore, taken a firm decision not to admit or treat such patients unless they paid deposits.

Mr Emmanuel Taadi, the Hospital Administrator, complained about the poor staffing situation saying instead of the mandated minimum of 60 qualified nurses it had less than 15. "The situation is so pathetic that much against the norm the hospital had had to engage as many as 27 ward assistants most of whom are used in nursing capacities".

The NPP Government had promised during its electioneering campaign to introduced a more humane health care delivery system by scraping the Cash and Carry system introduced by the previous government of the NDC, but that promise is yet to be fulfilled. The hospital, established in 1957 as a maternity home by the Dutch Missionaries, now serves a population of about 108,100 people from over 150 communities. The Most Rev Kocherry officiated at a mass wedding for 15 couples.