Authorities at the Mercy Women Hospital, Mankesim, have expressed worry over the inability of patients who report to the hospital for Fistula care, to pay for their hospital bills.
According to the Health Service Administrator of the Hospital, Ms. Martha Amoah, the situation has made authorities of the hospital expend much resources to provide care for such patients, a development hampering the effective management of the facility. The authorities are thus explo
ring all funding avenues to sustain the provision of care. She appealed to Individuals and public-spirited organizations to support financially, the care of people living with the condition.
She also mentioned that patients who seek care at the facility are faced with the challenge of stigma associated with the fistula condition.
The economic mainstay of the catchment population of the hospital is fishing and farming. Cost of treatment for one repair is approximated at GHC 2000.
Patients between ages 15- 60 years are predominantly those who seek care at the facility.
The fistula programme over the period has been relying on support from individuals and group of persons. Through Agnes Varis Foundation of USA, courtesy Dr. Catherine Husa, the hospital received funds for cases done from 2010 to 2014. The foundation also provided standby generator for the unit and helped to improve the water supply system for the facility. Cardinal Turkson’s Health and Educational Fund had also been of great support to the facility.
The Lansing Church, USA helped purchase a vehicle for Fistula Outreach work.
Ministry of Women, Gender and Social Protection of Ghana has for some time now been playing massive role in the provision of funding to cover patients surgical procedures, feeding and transportation. They have also provided supported in mobilizing fistula patients across the country to the center for repairs.
The bulk of funding for running the hospital comes from Internal Generated Funds obtained from National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
At the moment, the dwindling nature of funding for fistula programme is posing a great challenge to the facility. Currently, there are over 200 cases that are yet to be repaired due to lack of funding. Other challenges include limited access to and coverage of EmOC services in some of the communities leading to Increasing number of home deliveries which are attended to by TBAs, Gardens (i.e. Spiritualist/ Churches Leader) relatives or neighbors. There is also Poor health care seeking behaviour among pregnant teenagers due to stigma or lack of knowledge.