In a groundbreaking move to honour its former employees, St. Theresa’s Hospital in Nandom has announced a new initiative granting free medical care to all retirees who have served at the facility. The decision follows concerns raised during the hospital’s annual Open Day celebration in 2024, where retirees expressed feeling neglected after years of dedicated service.
Dr. Sebastian Ninimiya Yidana, the hospital’s medical superintendent, explained that the Open Day was a platform for community members and stakeholders to voice their concerns and seek solutions. In response to the retirees’ grievances, hospital management deliberated and agreed to implement a full medical waiver, ensuring that former employees would no longer have to pay for hospital services. Additionally, any retiree who passes away will receive free mortuary services for up to one month.
Currently, 49 retirees stand to benefit from this initiative, spanning various professions, including general nurses, nurse midwives, physician assistants, public health nurses, ward orderlies, accountants, security personnel, and cleaners.
Among the beneficiaries is Mrs. Marcela Kog, who began working at the hospital in 1967 at its inception, after completing Form Four in 1966. Initially tasked with caring for orphans, particularly those who lost their mothers during childbirth, she later trained as a ward assistant and climbed the ranks to ward assistant grade 1. After furthering her education, she became an enrolled nurse in 1971 and retired in 2010, having served the hospital for an impressive 42 years.
Reflecting on the new initiative, Mrs. Kog expressed deep gratitude, stating, “This will go a long way to ease our burden. We are really excited.”
The hospital also presented an undisclosed amount of money to each retiree, adding to the goodwill gesture.
This initiative not only acknowledges the contributions of retirees but also sets a precedent for healthcare institutions to prioritize the welfare of their former staff.
