Agogo (Ash), Dec. 11, GNA - The Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) has donated 94 million cedis in support of a new X-ray Unit for the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital in the Asante Akim North district. Ernest Peyer Memorial Foundation (EPMF), a Switzerland-based charity, acquired the facility, estimated to cost 1.8 billion cedis, for the Hospital.

Right-Reverend Yaw Frimpong-Manso, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church, announced this at the handing over of the Unit at Agogo on Saturday.

He expressed appreciation to the Swiss Foundation for the facility, saying it was a vital component that would greatly enhance health delivery at the Hospital.

The Agogo Hospital is the second largest health facility in Ashanti, after Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, in terms of volume of service delivery. It is not only associated with excellent eye-care services, but also has a great capacity in treating Buruli Ulcer cases. Rt-Rev Frimpong-Manso called on Management of the Hospital to ensure proper use and maintenance of the Unit. He said with the coming into being of the Presbyterian University, the Agogo Hospital would be upgraded to a tertiary status and tasked the Management work towards that vision.

Mr Hans Rudolf Roth, Chairman of the Peyer Foundation, said the organisation mobilised resources through its Board members in Switzerland to acquire the equipment, which was a replacement to an obsolete one which broke down. He said the engineers who installed the equipment, also provided in-service training to local technicians in Konongo and the personnel who would operate the equipment to ensure its proper maintenance and care.

Mr Thomas Mensah, General Manager of Presbyterian Health Services, commended the Swiss-based charity, saying it had been providing =93invaluable support=94 to the Hospital and that last year it made available 152.3 million cedis for the rehabilitation of four leaking underground water storage tanks.

In 2004, the Foundation funded the rehabilitation of a waste water disposal system at the cost of 315 million cedis and also financed the purchase of a Spectrophotometer, Ultrasound Printer and other medical equipment for the Hospital to the tune of 10,000 dollars in 2001. It also provided funds for the construction and furnishing of two upper floors of the hospital's three-storey Guest House, which was named after Peyer at a cost of about 200 million cedis. Nana Akuoko Sarpong, Paramount Chief of Agogo Traditional Area, expressed appreciation to the chairman and Board members of the Foundation for their immense contribution to the healthcare of the people. 11 Dec. 06

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