The Institution of Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) has appealed to stakeholders to commend its health facilities, including the Saint Joseph Hospital in Koforidua.

A statement issued in Accra by Mr Peter K Yeboah, the Executive Director, CHAG, said the health facilities that collaborate with stakeholders to provide charitable works of mercy for humanity deserves to be commended.

It said consequent to media allegations of extortions levelled against St Joseph Hospital Koforidua, a Member of CHAG in October 2016, regarding Operation Walk Syracuse, an American Charity that sought to conduct knee and hip replacement surgery at the Hospital, and at the behest of the then Minister of Health, Hon Alex Segbefia, an investigation into the matter was necessitated given its significance on CHAG’s corporate image, values and identity.

It said a committee was formed to investigate to establish the veracity of the allegations as reported in the media, identify any matters of criminal nature for further Police investigations and recommend the necessary interventions to forestall the recurrence of this incident with CHAG Member Institutions.

The statement said the Committee’s report finding indicated that the allegations, as reported in the media, were unfounded and malicious to the integrity, image and reputation of the St Joseph Hospital-Koforidua.

It said no payment or donation of US$ 100,000 was ever made to the St Joseph Hospital towards the surgical operations and beneficiary patients received free echocardiogram, x-rays and other laboratory tests, all at the expense of the hospital.

“Indeed, patients paid GH¢1000 each for the procedures, which comparatively cost about GH¢ 55,000 in most hospitals in Ghana,” it added.

It said the patients, who benefitted from the operation were now healthy, happy, and enjoying functional mobility as independent persons.

The statement assured the public that their Christian ideals of service and sacrifice have been, and were still, upheld in all circumstances especially their fidelity to the sick and suffering, poor and needy, neglected and marginalized segment of the society.

It said it was gratifying to know that the American Charity-Operation Walk Syracuse was returning to the same Hospital-St Joseph Hospital-Effiduase-Koforidua in October 2017 for another batch of humanitarian and restorative surgeries to the poor and needy.

It called on the public to support CHAG Member Institutions in preserving, promoting and protecting health and healing at all times, anywhere and to every person.