Health and Energy Ministers collaborate to address hospital debt to ensure sustainable power supply

By Hannah Dadzie

The Health Minister, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, and the Minister of State at the Energy Ministry, Herbert Krapah have engaged in high-level discussions to find a permanent solution to the issue of debt owed by health facilities, to ensure the continuous and sustainable supply of power.

This follows a critical intervention by Dr. Okoe Boye to restore power to the Lekma Hospital, which had been disconnected due to an outstanding debt of approximately 3 million cedis, forcing the hospital to rely on its generator for the entire day on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Dr. Okoe Boye, who is also the former Member of Parliament for the area, swiftly moved to address the power cut through engagements with the Energy Ministry. The prompt action not only restored power to the hospital but also highlighted the urgent need for a sustainable solution to the financial challenges faced by health facilities in covering their utility costs.

Sources have disclosed that following Dr. Okoe Boye’s intervention, the matter was raised at the cabinet level, and frantic steps are being taken to address the broader issue of power supply and payment by public health facilities across the country.
According to the Electricity Company of Ghana, a total of 91 health facilities nationwide are indebted to it, with a combined outstanding amount of GH¢261 million.

Among the prominent hospitals listed are the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the 37 Military Hospital and Ridge Hospital in the Greater Accra region; Komfo Anokye and Manhyia Government Hospitals in the Ashanti region; Ho Teaching Hospital in the Volta region; and Kibi Government Hospital in the Eastern region.

In an earlier interview on Adom FM, Isaac Baah Offei, the Public Relations Officer of the Health Ministry said efforts to settle the debts have been initiated, and meetings are being held with all affected hospitals.
“We are working closely with the Energy Ministry and ECG to find a sustainable solution to this issue.” Mr Baah Offei noted

The collaboration between the Health and Energy Ministers is seen as a significant step towards ensuring that health facilities across the country are not disrupted by power cuts due to financial constraints. The discussions and actions taken by the government are expected to lead to a more stable and reliable healthcare system, benefiting both staff and patients.

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