‘Don’t discriminate against the sick’ - Afrifah-Agyekum

Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum,Bishop of Koforidua has urged Catholic health providers to sustain quality care provision to every patient and respect their dignity, adding that the Church’s health facilities were not-for-profit, but meant to serve the health needs of all.

Speaking at the joint Arch/Diocesan launch of the World Day of the Sick for the Accra Archdiocese, Koforidua Diocese and the Donkorkrom Vicariate,The Bishop reiterated Pope Francis’ call for healthcare providers to continue serving the sick with renewed energy.

" All health professionals are to serve all fairly and not discriminate against any health seeker because everyone is a child of God and needs to be accorded the greatest care" he added

Bishop Afrifah-Agyekum, who later visited and prayed for kids at the Children’s Ward of the Holy Family Hospital, re-echoed that, the health profession was a vocation and a call to serve, saying, those solely seeking monetary gains were in the wrong profession.

Nana Effah Opinamang III, Obominghene, who chaired the function, commended the Church for instituting the World Day of the Sick, entreating them to sustain the event to promote efforts at bringing relief to the sick.

He entreated health practitioners to cultivate favourable relationships with their patients, show them compassion and sensitise them to live responsibly and tidy their environment to promote health.

The Chief also appealed to the Government to continue the good projects started by the previous governments in order to help the rural poor access affordable health care in their localities.

Mr. Victus Kwaku Kpesese, Executive Secretary, Koforidua Diocesan Health Service, noted that the recognition of staff at the annual function was to motivate hardworking staff and thank the awardees for their efforts in helping save lives.

He also entreated managers of the various health facilities to up their effort in making their recommendation for the awards in time.

Dr. Isaac Adu-Poku Antwi, Medical Director of the Holy Family Hospital, Nkawkaw, said the World Day of the Sick offers an opportunity for the healthcare providers to reflect on the sick and those suffering.

He called on health practitioners to be wary of medico legal issues that could land them in legal tangos, huge fines, imploring caregivers to be circumspect in the care they give.

Similarly, Ms Celestine Asante, Kwahu West Municipal Directress for Health, who commended the Catholic Church’s effort in health delivery, tasked health workers to go the extra mile in extending care to the sick.

Likewise, Rev. Fr. Richmond Sintim, Chaplain of the St. Joseph Hospital, Koforidua, urged care givers to respect the dignity of their patient and focus on giving them the best of care at all times.

At the function, some staff of the Emergency Unit of the Holy Family Hospital staged a sketch on how a lady trapped in a galamsey pit was resuscitated by the staff, after the ambulance brought her. The cast at the end, added their voice to calls to end galamsey in the country.

Mr. Donatus Duncan Adaletey, Executive Secretary for Health in the Accra Archdiocese read a citation in honour of Mrs. Catherine Agbotame Hdzor, who was adjudged the Best Worker, Senior Category, in the Archdiocese for her long dedicated service.

An elated Mrs. Hadzor who couldn’t hide her delight, danced to the melodious tunes rendered by the Therapeutic Voices of the Holy Family Hospital.

She thanked God for the honour and expressed gratitude to management and staff of the Battor Catholic Hospital.