Apam (C/R), Jan 11, GNA - A delegation of the African American Forum (AAF) of the General Electric (GE) Company of the United States of America and some members of the Board of Directors of the GE on Sunday inspected the Apam Catholic Hospital in the Central Region.

The inspection formed part of their five-day tour of facilities they have been supporting in Africa.

The association of GE with the Apam Catholic Hospital dates back to 2006 when Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, the former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, introduced them to the health facility for assistance. Welcoming the delegation, Mr Theophilus Aidoo-Mensah, Gomoa West District Chief Executive (DCE) expressed gratitude to GE for its immense contributions to the healthcare delivery in the district.

"People from far and near are being referred to the hospital for treatment because of the quality equipment donated by EG," he said. The DCE mentioned an electricity generator, overhead water reservoir, ultra-sound machine, X'ray machine, anaesthesia machine, patient monitors, incubators, baby warmer, internet and other facilities as donations from the GE.

Mr Aidoo-Mensah gave the assurance that the District Assembly would help to improve facilities at the institution.

He said the Assembly in collaboration with the Urban Poverty Reduction Project and the Social Investment Fund is putting up a laboratory, surgical ward, mothers' hostel and staff quarters for the hospital.

Mr Deb Elam, Vice President of GE, said their tour would take them to Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa where they would pay courtesy calls on government officials, business leaders and visit healthcare facilities where they had provided some support under GE's Developing Health Globally Program. They would also hold discussions with university students. Mr Elam, who is the Chief Diversity Officer of GE said the company had made significant growth in Africa, raising its revenue to 3.5 billion US dollars in 2008, an increase of almost 40 per cent over that of 2007. He said GE operated in 35 countries and employed 1,500 people in Africa.

Dr Ebenezer Amekah, Medical Superintendent in charge of the hospital who led the delegation on the inspection, said the annual 10-member medical team sent by the GE to assist in healthcare delivery at the hospital had been of great service to the facility. He said the hospital was carrying out regular maintenance of the equipment to prolong their span. Other health facilities GE is supporting are located at Asante Mampong, Kintampo, Kete Krachi, Asesewa, Axim and Bamboi. 11 Jan 10