Regional News of Sunday, 21 December 2003

Source: GNA

Apostolic Nuncio advises hospital staff

Breman-Asikuma (C/R), Dec. 21, GNA - The Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana and Togo, His Excellency Most Reverend George Kuchery, has advised nurses and paramedical staff to be well informed and patriotic in the performance of their services towards the public.

Such attitudes would supplement efforts of doctors to save lives. Most Rev. Kuchery was addressing workers of Breman-Asikuma Mission Hospital and hundreds of Catholic faithfuls in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District of the Central Region, who welcomed him and his Eminence, Peter Cardinal K. Appiah-Turkson at Breman-Asikuma.

The two top Catholic clergymen were specially invited by the management of the hospital and leaders of the Asikuma Catholic Church to participate in the Golden Jubilee anniversary of "Our Lady of Grace Mission Hospital in the town.

Most Rev. George Kuchery and Cardinal Turkson jointly commissioned and dedicated to the glory of God, a new health education hall for the hospital, Christened: "Reverend Sister Villa Hall", to commemorate the anniversary.

Most Rev. Kuchery said it was only through hard work coupled with a deep sense of commitment, patriotism and dedication that nurses and other paramedical staff of the hospital could render appreciable service to their numerous clients.

In a sermon, Cardinal Appiah-Turkson reiterated the need for a collaborative effort from all Ghanaians to enable the nation to achieve her socio-economic, spiritual and political objectives. He therefore, charged Ghanaians to always strive to lead decent lives worthy of emulation.

Cardinal Appiah-Turkson praised the sponsors of the health education hall, "The Conference of Health Sisters" in Spain as well as Reverend Sisters at the Hospital who also donated furniture and other items, for their excellent contributions towards the promotion of the health delivery system in Ghana.

Cardinal Appiah-Turkson charged management, workers and the general public, who would enjoy the facilities to ensure their effective maintenance to sustain their life span.

Mr. Sampson K. Anfako, District Chief Executive for the area, on behalf of the government and people in the district in particular, expressed his gratitude to the Catholic Church for the immense contributions it had been making throughout the 50 years that the Asikuma Mission Hospital has been in existence and further appealed to the church to show more concern for the socio-economic needs of the deprived communities in the country.

Mr Anfako also passionately called on management of the hospital to do something about their high bills they impose on clients who go there with delicate health problems, even though the Asikuma Mission Hospital is noted for the credible performance on such health issues.

Dr. Arron Offei, Central Regional Director of the Ghana Health Services, was happy that the GHS has been associated with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Asikuma Catholic Mission Hospital, and advised workers there to use the occasion to reflect soberly on their past performance and adopt new strategies to assist the people.

On behalf of the Breman Traditional Council and the entire people of the Breman Asikuma Traditional Area, the Omanhene of the traditional area, Nana Amoakwa Boadu VII, thanked the Catholic Church for all the good works it had done for the people over the years. He pledged co-operation, support of the traditional council and the people to ensure orderly operation of the hospital.