Hospital appeals for support to handle cholera cases

The Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) has appealed to the Central Regional Coordinating Council (CRCC) to support it with some medical supplies to enable it treat the increasing number of cholera patients.

Since the outbreak of the disease in the Region the Hospital, which is a referral Centre, has recorded 81 cases with 2 brought in dead August 26 and September 4.

According to Dr. Eric Ngyedu, Clinical Director of the Hospital, disposable gowns and aprons, gloves, anti-cholerainfusion and other consumables were in short supply.

He made the appeal on Thursday when the Central Regional Minister, Mr. Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, led a team of officials from the CRCC to visit the Hospital.

Dr. Ngyedu briefed the Minister and his entourage on the cholera situation and said tents mounted to handle cholera cases were not enough, compelling the Hospital to keep some patients under trees and others on corridors close to the isolated area at the mercy of the weather.

He said even though the Regional Health Directorate provided some supplies they were still not enough and Hospital was using its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to supplement to help prevent deaths.

Dr Ngyedu appealed to the Minister to assist the Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital to renovate its Cholera Centre to minimize the pressure on the CCTH.

He said challenges the Hospital faced included encroachment on its land by surrounding communities, interrupted power and water supply, staff accommodation and lack of some equipment.

The Minister sympathized promised to collaborate with the Electricity Company of Ghana to ensure constant power supply and water reservoir and other facilities to ensure interrupted water supply would also be provided.

Mr. Quansah gave the assurance that documentation of the 153 acres of land had started and warned that building projects by encroachers would be pulled down when the process was completed.

He praised the hospital staff and management for their professionalism and urged them to continue their good works.