Accra, Jan. 12, GNA - Dr Benjamin Kumbuor, Health Minister, on Tuesday said the shocking revelations at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital should be a wake-up call to administrators and managers of health facilities.

"I am ashamed to be associated with the shocking revelation of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital by Investigative Journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, and this should be a wake-up call to administrators and managers of health facilities.

"I believe we all share the common position to work towards shaping the future of the psychiatric hospitals to improve conditions and service delivery. We need to redeem our reputation," he said.

Dr Kumbuor made the observation when he inaugurated a five-member committee to investigate conditions in the Accra Psychiatric Hospital. The committee is under the chairmanship of Professor Oliver Commey, Chairman of Ghana Health Service (GHS) Council.

The members are Mr Ben A. Amponsah-Boateng, a Lawyer, Mr Michael Vierra, Superintendent of Police, Mr Emmanuel T. Tidakbi, Director of Health Administration and Support Service of GHS and Mrs Marian Tackie, a Director at the Ministry of Health as Member/Secretary.

He said after interacting with management and staff of the hospital, the committee would further handle issues raised in the publication. The December 21, 2009 edition of The New Crusading Guide published shocking revelations of physical abuse, callous neglect, stealing and sale of narcotic drugs and food meant for patients at the hospital.

The terms of reference of the committee are; to enquire into the issues published, determine underlying causes for security, administrative lapses and professional ethical infrastructure at the hospital and recommend measures (immediate, medium and long term) to improve service delivery and conditions at the hospital.

It is expected to submit its recommendations by February 1, 2010.

Dr Kumbuor said he was hopeful the committee would deliver to expectation and its report would serve as a useful input in shaping the draft Mental Health Bill in addressing challenges in mental health facilities.

He commended Anas Amereyaw Anas for his sacrificial work that led to those very important revelations that would guide decisions on legal human rights.

Prof. Commey said he was shocked at the state of deterioration at the hospital over the past 30 years and noted that everyone could be a candidate at the hospital.

He pledged the committee's commitment to unravel the mysteries and make the facility a habitable one.

Speaking to newsmen after the inauguration, Dr Akwasi Osei, Medical Officer in-charge of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, said he did not feel guilty about the revelations though some were rather strange.

He explained that he had called for improvement in the conditions of the facility and motivation of staff over the last five years to no avail, and the most disturbing was the alleged peddling of drugs by hospital staff. Dr Osei said Mr. Anas was a hero whose revelations had attracted the necessary attention and, with the desired improvement at the hospital, his name would go down in the annals of the country's history.

"This is a vindication of what I have always said," Dr Osei noted. "This not withstanding does not exonerate the hospital and mental health which are at crossroads and if the situation is not addressed the system would collapse, "he added.

"A facility established for 600 patients now accommodates over 2,000 patients. We should therefore not behave like ostriches but put the necessary measures in place," he said. 12 Jan. 10