Sunshine Healthcare Invests $4million Into Healthcare Delivery in Ghana
The proliferation of numerous labs and healthcare centres whose practice leaves much to be desired. The end result is that the patient does not get the quality results that are needed for his or her right treatment, according to the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang Manu.
On this note, Business Week ABUBAKARI SEIDU AJARFOR interacted with Chief Executive Officer and Director of Sunshine Healthcare Limited, Bernard M. Joseph to find out about investments, cost of private healthcare delivery, quality, accessibility, competition, policy hindrance and sustainability.
It is against this background that the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Sunshine Healthcare Limited, Bernard M. Joseph has invested a whopping 4million dollars in the provision of quality, timely and affordable world class diagnostic services in a wide range of laboratory and imagining at its new Airport Residential branch in Ghana.
The Ultramodern Diagnostic Centre which was launched in June, 2017 is offering complete diagnosis under one roof. They offers Radiological Services like X-Ray, CT-Scan , MRI , Mammography , Ultrasound & Colour Doppler , E.C.G. Medical Laboratory offering complete range of Tests in Biochemistry , Haematology , Serology ,Immunology , Pathology etc. in addition to that they do routine medical check-ups under different packages. The Centre runs on 24/7 basis and reports are sent promptly within 24 hrs.
He indicated that Sunshine Medical Diagnostic Centre offer’s outpatient medical care and is run by specialists with a variety of health care services. The facility has a well-equipped Laboratory that is able to perform both basic and specialized tests managed by a qualified lab technologist under the supervision of a Pathologist.
Mr. Joseph strongly believes that income status of an individual should not be a hindrance to quality and accessible healthcare services in the country, that, he sees, was the need for a more collaboration with government to offer healthcare services that are affordable to Ghanaians irrespective of one’s social and economic status. According to him, services in the private healthcare facilities are very expensive but in democratizing its services, discounts and free services are given to patients who may not be able to afford depending on a particular case at Sunshine Healthcare.
He stated that they have also extended their services adding that “we also have specialists and group of consultants who offer medical treatment. We actually want Ghanaians to feel free to meet specialist of their choice which is rarely seen elsewhere. Specialists in other facilities elsewhere sometimes come in once or twice a week but at Sunshine healthcare, we have 24 specialists who are available at all times to offer real-time services.”
With 42 direct employees, they offer a one-stop-shop for all health problems and they make sure that patients get proper treatment in few minutes adding that, “when you come, first, you meet the specialists, do the diagnosis, the tests, come back to the doctor who is very clear about your case to prescribe treatment and you are good to go in less than an hour.”
Quality Services and Affordability
The CEO of the facility said they have highly qualified and trained expatriates who provide accuracy and timely reports as well as train local doctors and graduates to meet the required standards and practices at the centre.
In terms of affordability, Mr. Joseph was slow to admit but indicated that healthcare services in the private sector is very expensive compared to the benefits those in the public sector receive from government that are not extended to the private operators. “Comparatively, we have a very cost effective solution that makes our services very affordable compared to other players in the sector. Cost can be reduced if government also reduces the port duties and taxes that have burdened the private operators.”
Target customer
We are basically looking at everybody who have a medical problem and require diagnosis because we are not pricing too high and our charges are competitive. We also offer discounts and free services recommended by our specialists for people who are in dire need. “In as much as we want to keep the business running, we also consider the social aspect of individuals who are in need and cannot afford the services.”
Patronage and Accessibility
On a daily basis, we have 70 to 140 visitors who come for diagnosis and our treatment centre which was recently introduced to provide the one-stop-shop for all your health needs. We have quality doctors who provide treatment to those who come for diagnosis but for the referral ones, after the diagnosis and tests, we send the reports back to them so that they can also go back to their hospitals for treatment.
Major health Cases
Most of the cases that are brought here are stroke. There are two types of stroke and if the doctor does not get the right and accurate report, he or she may prescribe wrong treatments but once the doctor gets accurate report, the patient can be saved. Stroke is the common illness we have in Ghana as a result of ones eating habit, family history and failure to exercise the body regularly.
Operational Challenges
We have had very good experience and positive engagements with Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Ministry of Finance and Customs at the port when we went to clear our new MRI machine. Before certain laws were passed by government and just two days to clear our goods, the law had taken effect. But because we are a company of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), certain exemptions were given and once we were able to show our identification and letter of guarantee, we were reimbursed in a fast and accurate manner within the 30 to 45days assurance. We were very amazed despite the few difficulties in the documentation process.
I will also want to commend the Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang Manu for his seriousness in dealing with time. When we extended an invitation to the Minister for the launch of our Airport Residential office, we gave him 10:30am and he asked us whether we are sure about the time and lo and behold, Kwaku Agyemang Manu arrived at exactly 10:25am and we were very amazed and surprised.
However, government should open its doors to allow more foreign specialists who are willing to impact their knowledge and build local capacities to meet the deficit in the country. The future for us in the sector is bright and we will urge government to provide a more enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Future plans and Sustainability
We want to establish a Dialysis Centre in the country to augment our services. We have very few facilities in the country and there are a lot of people who are suffering from chronic kidney diseases and I believe this will be good news to patients in Ghana when we finally set up. Negotiations are ongoing as we enter the second phase of this new project which will soon arrive. We are hoping to open additional five branches in Ghana, one every year in Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi, Sunyani and another one in Accra.
Sunshine Healthcare, a world-class health care services provider, has inaugurated its new office located on the Senchi Street, adjacent the Association International School in the Airport Residential Area. The new building has a larger space for parking and it is equipped with modern and state-of-the-art diagnostics and medical facilities that will enable the company carry out medical tests and reports in real time.