The Management of the Upper East Regional Health Directorate (RHD) has reacted to an investigative documentary titled “Theft In The Theatre,” which has been aired on his social media handle Facebook. In a statement, the directorate said it views the allegations as serious and contrary to its disciplinary rules and professional ethics.
The statement, issued and signed by Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari, the Regional Director of the Health Directorate in the Upper East Region, said the Directorate welcomes the publication and will investigate the issues to,establish the facts, clear doubts, and address any perceived wrongdoing raised in the documentary.The statement further noted that, under the Patient’s Charter, the Health Directorate is guided by principles of transparency and accountability.
He said they will therefore investigate any specific claims of extortion and apply the Ghana Health Service Code of Conduct and professional ethics.
Dr. Braimah Baba also called on the people of the region to remain calm while management works on the matter and provides updates accordingly.
Mr. Edward Adeti, the investigative journalist behind the documentary, said the programme exposed how some clients who visit the hospital for surgery are allegedly charged and made to make payments without proper hospital receipts, but issue fake receipts through the use of fake receipts documents.
He also alleged that some doctors and other health professionals may have engaged in unprofessional acts, which includes, charging patients while they are in pain after surgery, demanding payments to be made directly to them, outside the official revenue process, and allegedly detaining patients who could not pay until they made payments before being discharged.
Speaking exclusively, to Word news Mr Edward Adeti Media Without Borders, expressed gratitude to the Upper East Regional Health Directorate led by Dr. Braimah Baba for taking the matter seriously. He stated that the investigation should not end at collecting evidence alone, or putting those evidence in shelf to gather dust instead, the directorate should come out with the findings of the probe.
He called for those found culpable to be sanctioned, so the practice is not repeated.
He also demanded that victims or persons who allegedly had money taken from them should be made to receive refunds if evidence is produced to show how and by whom the money was taken.
Mr. Adeti appealed to the Bolgatanga Health Directorate not to “shelf” the report, but to ensure that the public gets clear results and that affected persons are helped, in order to prevent recurrence.
Source: mywordfmonline.com/ Gaspard Adongo Ayuureneeya .