Some patients suffering from goitre were disappointed when the anesthesia machine at the Chiraa Government Hospital in the Sunyani West Municipality could not function to allow them to undergo free surgeries at the facility.
They were among about 40 patients of various health conditions who were scheduled to undergo free surgeries at the facility, sponsored by the Sunyani-based Suncity Group of Companies and their foreign partners.
However, about 40 of them including two children suffering from hernia, lipomas, and hydrocele underwent their surgeries successfully over the weekend.
Dr Philip Anokye, the Clinical Coordinator at the Chiraa Government Hospital, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that “our anesthesia machine is obsolete, however functions partially, and this time around it couldn’t function at all”.
He appealed to the public to support the facility with standard medical devices and equipment.
“Because of the limited space we couldn’t even perform more of the surgeries”, he stated, and called for support for the completion of the surgical block and maternity projects, which had been abandoned because of lack of funds.
Mr Ransford Antwi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Suncity Group of Companies, operators of the Suncity Radio, an FM station in Sunyani told the GNA that the surgeries were in line with surgical outreach initiative of the Suncity and partners, aimed at providing medical care and surgeries for vulnerable people.
“As always, we’re very grateful to everyone who supported this worthy cause, bringing smiles on the faces of the patients”, he stated, and also appealed to the public to support the facility with the anaesthesia machine.
Mr Antwi said, “With the anesthesia machine, we will be able to sponsor and conduct the free goitre surgeries for many of the patients.”
GNA