Mr
Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister, has said government would
continue embarking on proactive policies and programmes, to ensure
access to basic quality health service delivery.
He
said it was incumbent on all stakeholders, the State, Church, community
and health professionals to re-commit themselves to the ideals and
principles that underlined quality healthcare delivery.
Mr
Amenowode, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Hohoe -South
said this at the launch of the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the
Margaret Marquart Catholic Hospital (MMCH) at Kpando.
The
hospital was established by Dr. Margaret in 1960 with sisters Philli
Fucks and Anita Linninger of the Grail Movement, all of Germany.
He
re-emphasised government's commitment towards the implementation on the
one-time premium payment, under the National Health Insurance Scheme
(NHIS), and implored stakeholders to lend credence towards the success
of the repackaged scheme when it takes-off.
Mr
Amenowode announced that child and maternal health promotion, combating
HIV/AIDS, provision of necessary infrastructure, improved facilities
and logistics were top on government's agenda.
He
acknowledged the enormous role of the Catholic Church towards national
development efforts and challenged the citizenry of the Kpando district
to donate a landmark project to commemorate the Golden jubilee
scheduled for February 2011.
Mr
Amenowode appealed to the management of the hospital, Catholic Hospital
Association of Ghana (CHAG) and the Ho Diocese to consider reactivating
the defunct Nursing Training, sited at the MMCH, pledging the support
of the Regional Coordinating Council.
Dr.
Timothy Letsa, Volta Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service
(GHS) announced that the Ministry of Health and GHS are enforcing a
policy, which disallowed patients to be admitted on the floor.
He
said computer software was being piloted to address the delays inherent
in the re-imbursement of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)
claims in health facilities in the region.
Dr.
Letsa appealed to health institutes to submit their claims promptly in
order to avoid jeopardising the Scheme, which was enjoying high
patronage.
Mr
Franscis Ganyaglo, Kpando District Chief Executive commended management
and staff for their dedication and commitment to duty, reminding nurses
to treat patients with dignity.
Reverend
Sister Dr Lucy Hometowu, Medical Superintendent of MMCH said the
hospital serves the 72,000 population of the district, including cases
from Hohoe, Jasikan, Afram Plains and Togo.
She
mentioned areas for urgent rehabilitation works as the maternity block,
obstetric theatre, medical and surgical wards, main theatre, bungalows
and access roads, adding that, it aimed at an international status upon
completion.
Most
Rev. Francis Anani K. Lodonu, Catholic Bishop of Ho Diocese, launching
the anniversary, said the Catholic vision of healthcare delivery was to
continue the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, engaging the body and
soul.
Togbui Dagadu VIII, Paramount Chief of Akpini Traditional Area pledged the support of the Council towards the anniversary.
It was under the theme, "50 Years of Catholic Mission Health Delivery: Quality Healthcare, A Right For All".