Nkawkaw (Eastern Region) -- THE MANAGEMENT of the Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital, the second largest health facility in the Eastern Region in terms of the numbers of patients' attendance, have threatened to close the hospital down if the current threats of court action by the agents of Kwahu South District Assembly continue.

Speaking on behalf of the management, the hospital administrator, Mr. Alex Ofori Mensah stated that recently, they had a demand notice from the assembly asking the hospital to settle a debt of ?29 million being property rate owed to the assembly.

When the hospital drew the attention of the assembly to its inability to settle such an amount and further explained that the demand was a new thing to the management, the assembly threatened a court action to collect the money.

Mensah said the assembly went ahead and issued a writ at the Mpraeso High Court to demand the money.

He said the hospital has sacrificed a lot over the years to assist the people by way of health delivery and sometimes treats some of the patients who could not afford payment of bills free of charge and expected fair treatment from the assembly's authorities.

The administrator further stated that the hospital, which does not operate primarily with a profit motive, had dutifully been paying all taxes, rates and utility charges and was surprised about the current demand.

When the Kwahu South DCE was contacted, he confirmed that he had been briefed by the local government inspector and the revenue superintendent of the assembly about the issue and had advised them to find an amicable settlement of the matter to avoid any court action.

He promised to personally get involved in the matter to ensure fair play and understanding between the two.