Akwatia (E/R), Feb. 26, GNA - The Senior Medical Officer in-charge of the Ghana Consolidated Diamonds Limited (GCD) Hospital at Akwatia in the Eastern Region, Dr. John Bello has made an urgent appeal to the Ghana Health service to expedite action on the process of absorbing the facility in the public system.

The absorption, which he claimed received cabinet approval under the previous government will go a long way to alleviate the plight of staff of the Hospital whose morale were very low due to poor salaries. Dr Bello made the appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Akwatia in the Kwaebibirem District on the state of the hospital since the fortunes of GCD which began operating in 1924 began to dwindle leading to its partial closure in August 2007.

He said but for the National Health Insurance Scheme, the hospital would have closed down by now due to financial constraints. Dr Bello said, through prudent financial management, the hospital has been able to acquire a 15-seater capacity bus and an ambulance from funds accruing from the District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, describing it as the facility's "saviour".

He revealed that the 88-bed capacity hospital currently has one general medical officer, a surgeon, 18 nurses, 31 auxiliary staff and other supporting workers.

Dr Bello said out-patient attendance for 2007 was 52,820 with 49,297 registering under the District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme and in 2008 OPD attendance was 52,972 with 51,052 taking advantage of the Health Insurance Scheme.

He was very grateful to all the workers of the hospital and commended their commitment and dedication in spite of the very difficult conditions under which they were working.