Health Alert! Ridge hospital morgue to shut down over 'dumsor'

The Manager of the Ridge Hospital in the national capital, Accra has expressed fears that the health post will be compelled to shut down its morgue if the power crisis persists.

Nana Atta told Starr News' Asabea Akonor in an interview Friday that the cost of fuel used to power the public hospital's power plants is crippling the facility.

Ghana's worsening power crisis has resulted in a load-shedding exercise by state energy distributor Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

There is a production shortfall which has come about due to lack of gas from the West Africa Gas Pipeline in Nigeria to power some thermal plants across Ghana to supplant production.

Also the country's three hydro-electric power stations: Akosombo, Bui and Kpong are not running at their full capacity due to low hydrology.

The Akosombo Dam, which supplies close to 40 percent of Ghana's power needs, is running just four of its six engines. State power producer Volta River Authority (VRA) has given indications that a third engine might be turned off if the situation persists.

Also, the 400-Megawatt Bui Dam has largely been off the production chain. It is only used in emergency situations.

President John Mahama and his Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor have said the country is importing two power barges from Turkey at a cost of $250 million to shore up production in the interim by about 450 Megawatts. The barges are expected in the country by April.

The main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) recently went on a demonstration in the national capital to raise concerns about the frustrations Ghanaians are being put through as a result of the power crisis.

One of the concerns expressed by the party was the negative impact the erratic power supply was having on hospitals and other health posts across the country.

Complaining about the seriousness of the situation to Starr News as far as keeping bodies at the Ridge Hospital morgue is concerned, Mr Atta said if the situation worsens any further, the hospital will have to transfer the bodies to other facilities.