"Stop Attacking The Aged As Witches And Wizards" - MP

The Member of Parliament for Agona West constituency, Hon. Mrs. Cynthia Morrison has donated an ambulance, medical equipment and others to the Agona Swedru Municipal Hospital with a call on Ghanaian society to stop tagging the aged as witches and wizards.

Hon. Cynthia Morrison who has been appointed as Minister Designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection said the donation was her widow's mite to make health delivery accessible to the people.

The items including delivering beds, assorted medical drugs, beds and blankets, bed tables, stretches, wheel chairs, operational beds and clutches among others running into thousands of Ghana Cedis.

The Agona West Member of Parliament said she had observed with concern situations where most of the aged were tagged as witches and wizards due to changes in their lifestyles with many of them been denied access to healthcare.

" It's pathetic seeing the aged been scorned in the society and tagging with unacceptable names because of mere behaviour changes.

It's time we stop such acts and to encourage them, knowing very well they had entered a different stage in their lives.

Growing old is everybody's business. We are going to be like them and therefore should appreciates the fact that one day we shall all face the same situation "

Presenting the items, Hon. Mrs. Cynthia Morrison said there was the need for Swedru Government Hospital to be fully equipped to enhance its healthcare delivery.

She bemoaned congestion at the maternity ward of the hospital expressing the hope that the donation would decongest the ward.

Hon. Mrs. Cynthia Morrison hinted that the First Lady , H. E Mrs. Rebecca Akufo Addo would be contacted to assist in expanding the maternity ward to cater for more expectant mothers.

" His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo led NPP government is concern about 'no Bed, no ambulance songs being sang at our Hospitals across the country and has taken steps to address the situation.

Government is committed to ensuring provision of ambulance to every hospital in the country and to provide enough beds for patients to feel comfortable while receiving healthcare.

As your Member of Parliament, I have to assist in solving some of these problems thus the ambulance and medical equipment to facilitate daily activities of the hospital.

Most of the CHIPS Compounds, Health Centers and Clinics in the Agona West constituency have been assisted in the same manner thus making healthcare delivery accessible to the people.

If approved as Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection by Parliament, I would sought your prayers and support to serve the good people of Ghana especially the Persons With Disabilities and the aged"

The Agona West Member of Parliament called for greater respect for the aged and Persons With Disabilities saying it wasn't their wish to fall into such hardship conditions in their lives.

Medical Superintendent of Swedru Municipal Government Hospital, Dr. Apetogbor Dzedegbe who received the items thanked Hon. Mrs. Cynthia Morrison for donating the items for the hospital to enhance its operations.

He disclosed that the items had arrived at the time the hospital had been crying for redemption.

" Some few days ago, she told me of visiting the hospital. I knew she would be coming with few items but I have been proved wrong. What am seeing is beyond my expectations. These are the right items needed at the moment.

Swedru Municipal Hospital receives over 84,000 at the Out Patients Department otherwise known as OPD while over 4,000 expectant mothers are received annually.

This situation has put burden on the facilities available at the hospital especially at the maternity ward.

Other facilities are needed for other departments. Staff increase due to volume of work require accommodation for effective and efficiency in delivering the needs of the people.

I want to appeal to Nananom, Religious Leaders, Philanthropist, NGOs and individuals to assist Hospital Authorities establish Medical Village for its staff to work peacefully"

Dr. Dzedegbe stressed that per congestion at the hospital, there was the needed for ultramodern facilities to be constructed to absorb the huge number of people who troops to access healthcare at the hospital.

He lauded Hon. Mrs. Cynthia Morrison for the items especially the ambulance and the delivery beds promising to take proper care of them to serve the purpose for which they were donated to the Hospital.

" Let me conclude by urging all of us to seek medical attention early to avoid situations where patients arrives too late to save their lives "

Tufuhene of Agona Swedru, Nana Kojo Acquah who chaired the function urged nurses at the maternity ward to exercise restrain while dealing with expectant mothers adding he had received several complains which were not palatable.