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The Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital at Mampong-Akuapem in the Eastern Region is in a “sorry state” and cannot deliver optimum healthcare, says the Apesemakahene of Akuapem, Nana Yirenkyi.

He said if Tetteh Quarshie, after whom the hospital was named, were to be alive, he would be embarrassed by the depressing state of the health facility, which serves the people of Akuapem North and South and Koforidua.

Speaking on Ghana Yensom on Accra100.5FM on Tuesday June 27, the chief said most facilities of the hospital had broken down, with kitchen and laundry equipment all damaged. Additionally, the maternity ward needs urgent repairs and the pharmacy had run out of medication.

Nana Yirenkyi said health insurance claims by the hospital had also not been honoured by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

“What we, the chiefs, are saying is that the blame should be shared by both staff and government, because the staff do not do their work well and the government fails to supervise the work of staff,” added the traditional ruler.

According to him, hospital staff are divided, often resorting to writing letters to government officials asking for the removal of particular management members – issues the traditional authorities knew little about.

Nana Yirenkyi threatened a demonstration against the government if the situation at the hospital did not change.

However, reacting, Mr George Opare-Addo, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Akuapem North, said the chief’s comments were “purely politically motivated” just to “give the government a bad name”.

Mr Opare-Addo said the hospital faced challenges like any other health facility in the country – a situation he said did not affect its running. However, in the face of such challenges, the government had provided considerable support, including the installation of three new elevators to replace its previously dysfunctional lifts. Further, the accident centre had been refurbished with $100,000 from government coffers, while the hospital had been supplied with anaesthetic equipment and a power plant.

Regarding the faulty laundry machines at the hospital, he said he had been there to carry out an inspection with the regional minister and they were working on addressing the situation. Further, government was in the process of sourcing funds for the complete renovation of the hospital, which has not seen any repair works since 1994.

“So, the government is doing everything possible to ensure the hospital’s progress. I will plead with Nananom, if they have complaints [they should take it up with us first],” he urged.