Tamale, Feb. 13, GNA - Authorities of the Tamale West Hospital has appealed for assistance to improve infrastructure at the hospital to enhance quality health delivery in the Metropolis. Dr John Abenyire, Acting Medical Superintendent of the hospital made the appeal last Saturday during the Annual Get-to-gather and Awards night for staff of the hospital in Tamale. The occasion was meant to take stock of the previous year and to seek best approaches to improve on their services to win public confidence.

Dr Abenyire, who is also the Tamale Metro Director of Health Services mentioned the Out-Patient-Department (OPD), as being deplorable, as well as ambulance services and fencing of the hospital, as the areas that needed urgent attention. He said the current OPD could not accommodate patients, saying, "Most of the patients are always compelled to queue under shades" a situation, which was impacting negatively on the activities of the hospital. He said the hospital has only one old ambulance meant for carrying referral patients to the Tamale Teaching Hospital but breaks down often and stressed the need for another one to save lives. Dr Abenyire described HIPC funding as "Saviour Funds" for the hospital, which had been provided for the completion of some wards for use. He commended Action Aid Ghana for building a male ward for the hospital and for helping to prevent Mother-to-Child transmission of HIV/AIDS. He appealed to the government and other NGOs operating in the region to assist it fence the hospital. He announced that the National Health Insurance Scheme had been in operation, since November 2005 and that registered members were benefiting, and he appealed to the rest of the public to patronize the scheme. Alhaji A. B. Yakubu from the Regional directorate of Health Services, who chaired the function called for teamwork and respect for one another to improve quality health care delivery in the region. In all, 15 staff members received various awards and certificates for their dedication to work, with Alhaji Fuseini Inusah emerging the overall Best Worker, while Ms Janet Ackon received the prize for Best Ward In-Charge. They took away Double Decker Panasonic and Toshiba fridges respectively, while Ms Mahama Memunatu received a set of room furniture for being the Best District Director of Nursing Services (DDNS). 13 Feb. 06