By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Paga (U/E), July 20, GNA – The Paga Youth Movement (PAYOM) has presented a cash donation of GH¢20,000.00 to Dr Ama Antwiwaa Adu Appiah, a Medical Officer at the Paga Hospital in the Kassena-Nankana West District, in recognition of her decision to accept a posting to the facility.
The youth group also pledged an additional GH¢10,000.00 towards the rehabilitation and furnishing of the hospital’s consulting rooms to improve the working environment for health professionals.
Earlier this year, while many medical doctors declined postings to the Upper East Region, Dr Appiah was among only five of the 26 doctors posted to the region who accepted their postings.
She was also the only doctor assigned outside the regional capital, Bolgatanga, and was subsequently posted to the Paga Hospital.
Presenting the donation on behalf of Mr Wenowome Duriyem Aborah, Chairman of PAYOM, Mr Frederick Wugaa, the Vice Chairman of PAYOM, said the gesture was to express the community’s gratitude to the doctor for accepting posting to Paga at a time many medical officers were reluctant to serve in the area.
He said news of Dr Appiah’s arrival was received with joy by members of the movement and the wider community because access to medical doctors had remained a challenge over the years.
“We know it is not easy for medical officers to accept postings to communities like Paga, and many have declined such postings in the past. Her decision to come and serve our people is greatly appreciated,” he said.
Mr Wugaa explained that the GH¢20,000.00 donation was intended to support the doctor’s welfare and encouraged her to continue serving the community.
He said the additional GH¢10,000.00 would be used to improve the consulting rooms after concerns were raised about the conditions under which health workers operated.
“We appreciate her decision to serve our people, but we also believe health workers deserve a conducive environment to work. We are, therefore, asking management to identify the priority needs so we can support the rehabilitation of the consulting rooms,” he added.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the Medical doctor, management and staff of the hospital, Mr John Bosco Asobayire, Head of Finance at the Paga Hospital, described the gesture as commendable and urged the youth to sustain their support for the facility.
He said the donation demonstrated the community’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and motivating health professionals serving in the area.
“We are grateful for this show of love and concern. Community support is important in addressing some of the challenges confronting the hospital, and we encourage you to continue partnering with us,” he said.
On her part, Dr Appiah expressed gratitude to the youth for the honour and warm reception accorded her since her arrival at the hospital.
She, however, dedicated the recognition to the entire staff of the hospital, saying their support, commitment and teamwork had made her stay in Paga worthwhile despite the challenges.
“The nurses, physician assistants, laboratory staff, orderlies and all members of staff have been the reason I have stayed here. They have supported, encouraged and worked with me every day,” she said.
She appealed to the community to appreciate the efforts of all health workers, stressing that quality healthcare delivery was a collective responsibility involving doctors, nurses, other hospital staff and patients.
Dr Appiah said she would share the cash donation with the staff of the hospital as a gesture of appreciation for their dedication and sacrifice.
“I do not see this honour as mine alone. I see it as recognition of the entire Paga Hospital team, and I will gladly share this gift with my colleagues as a source of motivation,” she said.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Email: [email protected]