<<Print>>

Inadequate bed facility at the Suhum Government Hospital is compelling authorities of the Hospital to turn away children who are to be admitted at the children's ward. According to the Medical Supt. of the Hospital, Dr. Emmanuel Tetteh Ashong, the children's ward has only 20 bed capacity hence admits only 20 children at a time; therefore, children who are to be admitted at the hospital have to be sent to other hospitals in the region. He said this when the chief of Suhum, Osabarima Ayeh Kofi I donated items worth thousands of cedis to the Hospital as part of activities marking this year's Odwira Festival. Dr. Ashong described the situation as worrying due to the huge number of children who are brought to the facility for medical care. He noted that the hospital serves the whole of Suhum municipality, Ayensuano and part of East Akyem municipality; therefore, records are high at the Outpatient Department which has limited facilities, especially, the children�s ward. He was quick to add that efforts have been made to address some of the infrastructural deficit including construction of administration block and accident and emergency center, while steps are being taken to fix staff accommodation challenges. He, therefore, appealed to government to help construct at least 60 bed capacity children's ward in order to admit more children who attend the hospital for treatment. The medical supt. commended the Suhum Traditional council for the kind gesture. On his part, the chief of Suhum, Osabarima Ayeh Kofi I stated that the donation is a fulfillment of a promise made to the hospital six months ago stressing that, it is also part of activities to mark this year�s Odwira Festival. The overlord of Suhum traditional area further explained that the donation was aimed at helping the hospital to deliver full healthcare to patients seeking medical attention. He disclosed that health screening exercise and other activities aimed at promoting good health of his subjects have been scheduled to herald the durbar. Items donated to the hospital included toiletries, sachets of milo, milk, sugar and clothes among others. Osabarima Kofi I stressed calls for sacred celebration of this year's Odwira festival.