We are not extorting money from patients – KATH

Health News Monday, July 22, 2019

Source: citinewsroom.com

2019-07-22

Komfo Anokye University Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi has discredited reports that some hospital officials are extorting money from patients who are undergoing surgery.

This follows claims by some patients that they are being forced to pay illegitimate fees to people without a receipt, which deprives the hospital of the necessary income.

Sending to Citi News about this, Kwame Frimpong, KATH's public relations manager, asked patients to report any extortion attempts to the hospital's complaints section so that the culprits are punished.

"This hospital has a zero tolerance for extortion money. Our staff members have been banned from taking money from patients. Patients are expected to pay money to accredited agents, Fidelity Bank.

"Whatever it is, I want to reiterate that management is committed to ensuring that patients who visit this hospital are not exploited. Management is ready to receive a formal complaint about this and pledges to investigate it and make the right decision so that no one is at a disadvantage, "Frimpong said.

KATH is not the only hospital to have been accused of extorting money from patients.

Some doctors and nurses at the Tamale University Hospital in the north of the country have also been arrested extorting money from patients despite free health services as part of the program. National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Health officials have been filmed to ask parents of patients to pay what they describe as "service fees."

The reports suggest that their targets are primarily the parents of pregnant and lactating women who are covered by the government's free maternal health plan.