Medical Doctor Under Probe Over GH¢500 Motivation Fee

THE GHANA Health Service (GHS) has launched investigations into allegations that a medical doctor at the Suntreso Government Hospital in Kumasi has demanded a GH¢500 motivation fee from the husband of a pregnant woman in labour.

The pregnant woman eventually gave up the ghost and her husband, one Pastor Solomon Lamor Lateef, of the House of Faith Ministry, is demanding justice after suspecting foul play.

Dr. Emmanuel Tenkorang, the Ashanti Regional Director of the GHS, said his outfit was shocked about allegations that a practicing medical doctor would demand a motivation fee before attending to a pregnant patient, and disclosed that GHS had constituted an independent body to thoroughly investigate the authenticity or otherwise of the disturbing matter, to help the service take next line of action.

Speaking on radio in Kumasi, Dr. Tenkorang stressed that it is unethical for a medical doctor to demand a motivation fee from a patient, adding that while GHS is currently treating the case as an allegation, the matter would be thoroughly investigated.

He assured that the outcome of the investigations would be made public immediately it is released, and said GHS would not hesitate in cracking the whip if someone was found culpable after investigations.

The Medical Superintendent of the Suntreso Government Hospital, Dr. Agyarko Poku, also said his management acted swiftly by calling for investigations, immediately the complaint reached them.

He said his team had worked tirelessly over the years to reduce maternal death cases at the hospital, disclosing that the outfit did not recorded a single case of maternal death throughout last year.

By: Akwasi Boakye