[ 2012-07-09 ]

KATH's management forced to withdraw the payment of special levy dubbed “development levy”

KATH withdraws development levy
The management of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
(KATH) has been forced to withdraw the payment of
special levy dubbed “development levy”, which it
imposed on patients accessing health care at the
hospital.

In patients were paying GH¢10 for any single visit
to the hospital while out patients paid GH¢2.

The hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Kwame
Frimpong, told graphic.com.gh that the withdrawal
was the result of various consultations management
made with stakeholders.

However, it has been gathered from authentic
sources that the Ministry of Health compelled the
management to withdraw the levies with immediate
effect.

The ministry's directive followed public outcry
over the payments.

KATH Chief Executive, Prof. Ohene Adjei, in a memo
dated June 29, 2012 directed that the levies
should be charged alongside other approved
charges.

The special fees, which the authorities described
as development levy was implemented beginning this
month.

In the words of management, monies accruing to the
levies were to be used to undertake minor repairs
at the hospital and motivate staff as welll.

The implementation of the levy elicited sharp
reactions from patients and other members of the
public who described it a fleece.

On some occasions, patients became confrontational
as staff collected the levies from them.

Initially the authorities tried to justify the
levies but have now indicated that the levies had
been suspended.

Source - Daily Graphic

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