Telecel Ghana Foundation has launched its 2024 Homecoming Initiative, an annual flagship project to facilitate the mass discharge of stranded patients from selected government hospitals across the country.

Held at the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Hospital in McCarthy Hills, the opening event saw the discharge of 21 indebted patients from the hospital’s emergency, obstetrics and gynaecology wards.

The Foundation also facilitated the registration, replacement and renewal of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) membership for 100 individuals in the Weija-Gbawe municipality.

The event was attended by the municipal health director, hospital administrators, healthcare professionals, a representative of the Telecel Foundation Board as well as Telecel Ghana employees, who volunteered their time to join the programme.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, the Head of Foundation, Sustainability and External Communications at Telecel Ghana, Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, said “Hospitals are often forced to accommodate patients who cannot pay their bills, leading to overcrowding and resource shortages.

"By settling these bills, we free up beds and resources, allowing hospitals to deliver quality care to new patients thereby supporting the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal number 3 – Good health and wellbeing.”

Since its introduction in 2011, Homecoming which forms part of the Foundation’s Connected Health Programme has become a cherished annual tradition and facilitated the discharge of over 200 patients annually, who are burdened by unpaid medical expenses.

This year’s Homecoming will be carried out in three phases, targeting government hospitals in the northern, middle, and southern belts of Ghana.

Hospital administrator, Philip Afeti Korto, in his welcome address, said the hospital was grateful to the Foundation for their inclusion in this year’s Homecoming and called for support to establish a larger emergency unit to solve the problem of congestion.

“We are grateful to the Foundation for making a difference in the lives of patients and families facing financial hardships due to medical costs. This clearly shows your efforts to ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to health and well-being,” he said.

According to Mr Korto, the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Hospital has one of the best dermatological services, providing medical assistance to 15,000 patients with skin problems from January to September this year. About 2, 400 nursing mothers have successfully delivered in the hospital, with 900 undergoing caesarean surgeries in 2024.

Board member of the Telecel Ghana Foundation, Dr. Esi Ansah thanked healthcare workers for their service to improve the health outcomes of patients, reiterating the importance of the premise of Homecoming to the mental health of beneficiaries.

“The healing process from an illness alone can be stressful and when compounded by the unfortunate situation of being unable to offset your medical bills, it is even more worrying. Homecoming lifts that burden from patients with financial constraints and gives them the peace of mind they need to improve their well-being and dignity after recovery,” Dr Ansah said.

Discharged patients were full of emotional testimonies of gratitude, including a new mother, Theresa, who delivered a baby girl a week ago but had outstanding medical bills to pay.

"When I found out I could go home with my baby, I felt a sense of relief. I can’t wait to return to my extended family in Kaneshie and share this story of grace and support.

The launch event concluded with a heartfelt farewell presentation, where patients were given care packages for their journey home.