Dansoman Polyclinic has no light

The Dansoman Polyclinic has reduced its operating hours from 24 to eight since August 31, due to the explosion of the main electric metre serving the clinic.

Ms Mercy Sagoe Deputy Director of Nursing Services, Dansoman Polyclinic said the members of staff suspected overloading of electrical appliances on the meter led to the explosion even though personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) are investigating the incident and are yet to issues an official report.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Ms Sagoe said initial assessment recommendation by both Electricity Corporation of GNFS calls for rewiring the clinic.

The Dansoman Polyclinic is the only public health facility serving one of the biggest estates in the country but lacks the required space to ensure effective healthcare delivery.

Ms Sagoe noted that the polyclinic now depends on the benevolence of a nearby house to refrigerate some essential vaccines and medicines under very low temperatures; “but we are managing with that for now until help comes from above”.

The medical facility lacks the necessary health infrastructure coupled with inadequate doctors, medical staff and paramedics.

Canopies have also been mounted to take care of the large inflow of patients.

Ms Shirley Mprah a Senior Staff Nurse at the polyclinic expressed concern that the health personnel have been working in the dark since the explosion occurred.

The Administration of the polyclinic commended Mrs Ursula G. Owusu-Ekuful, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma West, who is funding the rewiring of the clinic as well as Ms Korkor Ayertey National Democratic Congress aspiring MP for Ablekuma West, who donated solar lamps worth GHc1000.00.

The polytechnic is calling for more support to ensure that the medical facility revert to the 24 hour service immediately to save lives.