Berekum (B/A) Feb. 9, GNA - Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Catholic Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese on Friday implored health workers to refrain from undertaken industrial actions and work extra miles to help salvage the life of people.

He said, even though strike action was the last resort that would put government on its toes in addressing grievances of workers, there was the need for nurses and doctors to consider the plight of the sick. Rev. Gyamfi was speaking at the celebration of the World Day of the sick at the premises of the Berekum Holy Family hospital at Berekum. The theme for the celebration was: "the need for more palliative care centres".

Rev. Gyamfi explained that health care delivery was a noble profession and that their actions and inactions could cause a great damage to the country and urged health workers to sit down with government and negotiate about their conditions of service. He stated that the Catholic Church wished to support the incurably and terminally ill by calling for just social policies, which could help eliminate the causes of diseases and by urging improved care for the dying and those for whom no medical remedy was available. The Bishop encouraged the efforts of those who work daily to ensure that the incurably and terminally ill, together with their families, received adequate and loving care.

Rev. Gyamfi reminded the public about HIV/AIDS and cautioned the youth against illicit sexual practices.

He advised the public to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme and cautioned registered members not to abuse the scheme to the detriment of the populace.

Dr. Alhaj Bin Ibrahim Mohammed, Brong-Ahafo Regional director of health services, who chaired the function explained that health delivery was a collective responsibility for the entire society. He expressed concern about the rate of homosexuality and lesbianism and called on religious leaders to lead the campaign against the practices.

Dr. Mohammed cautioned the youth against the excessive intake of alcohol and also go for voluntary tests to know their HIV/AIDS status. Dr. Martin Attu, Administrator of the Berekum Holy Family hospital disclosed that an amount of more than 200 million was lost when many patients absconded last year, adding that, a colossal amount of 44,776,000 from the poor and sick fund was spent in absorbing bills of poor patients.

Rev. Sister Wilhelmina Araba Mensah, Diocesan Health Director of the Hospital explained that the Day was instituted in the Catholic Church by the late Pope John Paul II in 1992.

She called on government to ensure that resources meant for effective health acre delivery were distributed fairly in terms of health personnel, subventions, equipment, projects transport, training opportunities and medical supplies.

Rev. Sister Mensah gave the assurance that whatever the situation, nurses and doctors of the hospital would not undertake any industrial action. 09 Feb. 07