EKK Charity Foundation Dishes Out 10,000 Ghana Cedis To Cover Medical Bills of Some Women at KATH.
An indigenous philanthropic organisation, known as EKK Charity Foundation, has made a cash donation of approximately 10,000 Ghana Cedis to cover the medical bills of some needy inpatients at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi. The first presentation which was made to a nursing mother, Martha Osei, and her child on Wednesday, 27th September 2023, formed part of the group’s vision to alleviating poverty by providing financial support to underprivileged persons in the society. Speaking in an interview, the Chief Executive Officer for the foundation, Dr. Evans Kofi Kwafo, disclosed that Martha Osei had been held up for failing to settle her maternity bills as well as the bill of her unwell daughter – both of which had amounted to 6,300 Ghana Cedis.
He revealed that due to the financial incapability of the patient, a stranger had initiated moves to foot the bill and – in return – take perpetual custody of the two children. According to him, it is extremely pathetic that a mother would lose her newborn baby and her daughter to a stranger in such an odd fashion.
“Martha was unable to leave this facility because she had no money to pay her bills. When I heard of her plight, I was very touched, so I decided to step in. I still don’t fathom why someone would want to pay 6,300 Ghana Cedis and take a mother’s children from her forever.”
On behalf of the foundation, Dr. Kofi Kwafo made a passionate appeal to the Chief of Staff of Ghana, Madam Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, for financial support. He revealed that without the help of some influential persons, it would be difficult for the foundation to achieve its target of making positive impacts in the country.
Expressing their thankfulness to EKK Charity Foundation, the beneficiaries – Martha Osei and Patience Afoakwa – described the intervention as very timely. They noted that they never anticipated that help would come so suddenly for them to be discharged. According to Martha, despite having no hope of going home, she vehemently objected to the idea of giving her children away to a stranger.
“I was heavily pregnant when I brought my sick daughter from Asante Bekwai to the facility for treatment. However, I went into labour and gave birth when the pregnancy was just seven months. I’m so grateful to Dr. Kwafo and his team for this intervention.”
Meanwhile, the Staff Nurse at Block B Ward 3 of the hospital, Madam Afua Adutwumwaa, expressed great delight that for the assistance received by the patients. She recounted that there have been countless cases of inpatients being unable to pay their bills in order for them to be discharged. She added that the situation creates a shortage of beds and makes it impossible for other persons to be admitted to the ward. She therefore called for more of these donations, stressing that they would bring great relieve.
“Although we receive frequent donations from people; however, we still need more of them. Sometimes, we’re unable to admit others because some patients have been held up for being unable to pay their bills.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Kofi Kwafo, has promised that despite its limited resources, the foundation would still be embarking on more of these interventions. He noted that the issue of mothers being held up for medical bills keeps recurring because some men deliberately abandon their spouses after getting them pregnant. According to him, fathers must do well to accept the responsibility of caring for their children regardless of their circumstances.
