Agonas in Canada foot medical bill of boy

Breman Asikuma, Nov 20, - Members of Agona Association in Canada on Wednesday presented 3.3 million cedis cash to the Our Lady of Grace Hospital at Breman Asikkuma to settle medical bills of a 19 year-old boy.

Isaac Oppong, who was suffering from typhoid perforation undergone major operation in May, this year, and could not go home because his parents lacked funds to pay the medical expenses.

The boy has been discharged by the doctors since June this year and could not go home because he owes the hospital.

Mr Sampson Opare and Miss Joyce Baah-Yeboah financial secretary in Canada and local organizer respectively of the association made the presentation to Mr Philip Amoh, an Accountant of the Hospital.

Mr Opare said that they saw the story about the boy on the internet in Canada which stated that the parents could not pay the bill due to financial constraints.

He said members, therefore, raised funds and sent it home for the payment of the bills so that the boy and his parents could be free.

Mr Amoh said that the hospital has declared 33.7 million cedis as bad debts involving 128 patients who could not settled their bills due to financial constraints, adding that 62 patients who were also not able to pay their medical expenses were freed last year.

He said the authorities of the hospital do not operate "cash and carry" system, that was why many people go to the hospital for treatment because it is a Mission hospital.

Mr Amoh stated that hospital receive little grant from the government and even that it delays and appealed to the Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and individuals to assist so that they render quality services to the people.

Madam Ama Beasewah, the boy's mother expressed appreciation to members of the association for their kind gesture, adding that she and her son were going through trouble because of non payment of the bills.

Dr George Prah, Medical Officer of the hospital said people in the area find it difficult to pay for medical expenses whenever they visited the hospital and attributed this to lack of gainful employment in the area. He, therefore appealed to the them to embrace the National Health Insurance Scheme.