Sunyani: Some patients suffering from goiter were disappointed when the anesthesia machine at the Chiraa Government Hospital in the Sunyani West Municipality could not function to allow them to undergo free surgeries at the facility. They were among about 40 patients of various health conditions who were scheduled to undergo free surgeries at the facility, sponsored by the Sunyani-based Suncity Group of Companies and their foreign partners.
According to Ghana News Agency, about 40 patients, including two children suffering from hernia, lipomas, and hydrocele, successfully underwent their surgeries over the weekend. Dr. Philip Anokye, the Clinical Coordinator at the Chiraa Government Hospital, revealed in an interview that the hospital's anesthesia machine is obsolete and functions only partially, but during this critical time, it failed to operate entirely.
Dr. Anokye appealed to the public for support in providing the facility with standard medical devices and equipment. He also noted the facility's limited space as a constraint in performing more surgeries, urging for assistance to complete the surgical block and maternity projects that have stalled due to lack of funds.
Mr. Ransford Antwi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Suncity Group of Companies, operators of Suncity Radio, an FM station in Sunyani, explained that the surgeries were part of a surgical outreach initiative by Suncity and its partners aimed at providing medical care and surgeries for vulnerable people. He expressed gratitude to those who supported the initiative and stressed the need for a functioning anesthesia machine to conduct the goiter surgeries.
Mr. Antwi emphasized, "With the anesthesia machine, we will be able to sponsor and conduct the free goiter surgeries for many of the patients."
