Stop the threats, if you cut our lights we’ll go home – Bekwai Government Hospital to ECG

In a bold stance against the looming threats by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to disconnect power due to outstanding debts, Dr. Frank Serebour, the President of the Ghana Medical Association and Medical Superintendent of Bekwai Government Hospital, has made it clear that such an action would force medical staff to halt their services.

The ECG’s plan to cut electricity to 91 hospitals over debts amounting to GH₵261 million has sparked concern, particularly for facilities like the Bekwai Government Hospital, which is now under the spotlight.

Dr. Serebour’s comments during an interview underscore the seriousness of the situation.

The assertion that the hospital’s operations could come to a standstill if the power is cut off reflects not just a standoff with ECG but highlights a deeper crisis within Ghana’s healthcare system.

The reliance on a single meter for a large facility and the debt, which Dr. Serebour believes is even more substantial than reported, paints a grim picture of the financial and operational challenges facing government hospitals.

The potential impact of such power cuts on patient care is profound. Dr. Serebour’s recount of a recent emergency, where 27 accident victims required urgent medical attention, illustrates the critical role of uninterrupted power supply in saving lives and managing emergencies.

This scenario raises questions about the viability of the government’s expectation for hospitals to use a portion of their claims from the National Health Insurance Scheme to cover utility bills.

According to Dr. Serebour, the math doesn’t add up, with utility bills consuming a significant portion of the hospital’s resources, leaving little for essential medical supplies and drugs.

The dilemma faced by Bekwai Government Hospital and others in similar predicaments is stark.

The government’s directive for hospitals to pay their electricity bills from Internally Generated Funds (IGF) starting June 1, 2023, adds another layer of complexity to the problem.

Hospitals are caught between the need to provide care and the reality of their financial constraints.

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Dr. Serebour’s contemplation of billing patients separately for electricity as a last resort to keep the hospital operational is a testament to the desperate measures some facilities might consider to navigate this crisis.

However, such a move could have far-reaching implications on healthcare affordability and accessibility for the average Ghanaian, potentially exacerbating the already existing challenges within the healthcare system.

The call for a national discussion on how emergency service providers like hospitals are billed for utilities is timely.

A sustainable solution requires a collaborative approach that considers the financial realities of healthcare facilities, the importance of uninterrupted service delivery, and the impact on patient care costs.

The healthcare system’s resilience depends on finding a balance that ensures facilities remain operational without passing undue burdens onto patients.

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