By Emelia B. Addae
Koforidua, Aug. 27, GNA – The Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU) and the Ghana Association of Public Health Technical Officers (GAPHTO) have donated US$10,000 towards the treatment of a health worker who sustained severe injuries while supervising a national polio immunisation campaign.
The amount represents half of the US$20,000 required for a sixth surgical procedure for Mr Solomon Ohene Gyabaah, an officer of the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Health Directorate in the Eastern Region.
The two organisations contributed US$5,000 each to support Mr Gyabaah’s treatment following injuries he sustained in a road crash in 2012 while overseeing the immunisation exercise in the municipality.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Mr Gyabaah said he had undergone several surgeries since the accident but continued to require further medical intervention.
He expressed gratitude to HSWU and GAPHTO for the support, noting that the donation had covered half of the amount needed for the scheduled surgery.
He appealed to benevolent individuals and organisations to assist him in raising the remaining funds required for the operation.
Despite his condition, he said he continued to report to work and contribute to the activities of the Municipal Health Directorate.
Dr Moses Barima Djimatey, Acting Eastern Regional Director of Health, said although Mr Gyabaah had undergone multiple surgeries, his condition had not improved significantly.
He noted that additional surgical procedures were necessary to improve his health and quality of life.
Dr Djimatey welcomed the support from the two organisations and described it as a significant contribution towards helping Mr Gyabaah access the medical care he required.
Mr Prosper Amegadzie, Vice Chairperson of GAPHTO’s Welfare Committee, said the association had consistently prioritised the welfare of its members.
He stressed that no health worker should be left to face health challenges alone, particularly when such challenges result from injuries sustained in the line of duty.
He, however, emphasised that such support should not replace the responsibility of government and employers to provide care for workers injured while performing official duties.
He urged the Government and relevant authorities to prioritise the welfare of health workers who suffer injuries or develop health conditions in the course of their work.
Mr Amegadzie said a healthy and well-supported workforce was critical to quality healthcare delivery and reaffirmed GAPHTO’s commitment to working with government and other stakeholders to strengthen systems that protect the health, safety and welfare of health workers.
Mr Franklin Owusu Ansah, General Secretary of HSWU, said the union’s contribution, though made in good faith, was insufficient to cover the full cost of treatment.
He therefore called on the Government, as the employer, to support health workers who require medical care due to injuries sustained in the discharge of their duties.
Mr Ansah appealed to the Government to absorb the remaining medical expenses to enable Mr Gyabaah to undergo the surgery and make a full recovery.
GNA
Edited by D.I. Laary
Reporter: Emelia B. Addae
Email: [email protected]