Telecel Ghana Foundation has facilitated the mass discharge of 75 indebted patients from three government hospitals in the northern belt of Ghana, as part of its annual Homecoming Initiative.

Homecoming is aimed at alleviating the financial burden on patients unable to pay their medical bills after treatment.

Of the 75 beneficiaries discharged, 41 patients were from the maternity, children, female, male and surgical wards of the Northern Regional Hospital, 23 from the Nandom St. Theresa Hospital and 11 from the Upper East Regional Hospital.

Medical director of the Northern Regional Hospital in Tamale, Dr Bashiru Abdul Majeed, said the initiative is a tremendous relief for the hospital as it was saddled with medical arrears from some patients which take a toll on the institution.

“The financial assistance to indebted patients has significantly alleviated the burden on the hospital as usually debts from outstanding medical bills impact the purchase of medical supplies and healthcare delivery,” Dr Abdul Majeed said.

“Instead of indebted patients absconding from the hospital, they will go home to their families safely and happily.”

Now in its 14th year, Homecoming forms part of Telecel Ghana Foundation’s Connected Health Programme and it is carried out in three phases, targeting hospitals in the northern, middle, and southern belts of Ghana.

Each year, about 200 stranded patients are discharged from government hospitals across the country.

The initiative not only provides financial relief to insolvent patients but also facilitates the registration, replacement, and renewal of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) memberships for hundreds of individuals, ensuring they have access to continued healthcare provision.

Head of Foundation, Sustainability and External Communications at Telecel Ghana, Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, said, "Homecoming is designed to not only help insolvent patients but also support struggling healthcare facilities who may be experiencing overcrowding in wards and resource constraints from patient indebtedness.

"Our support will ensure healthcare providers continue to deliver quality care and save lives.”

Discharged from the female ward of the Northern Regional Hospital, Aisha, a 27-year-old petty trader cried as she recounted her story of injuring her hips during a slip and fall in the bathroom.

Aisha said she lay helpless after the fall as her visually impaired mother struggled to summon help from nearby.

Although Aisha had received treatment, she was being held in the ward for indebtedness.

“Thank you for saving me and supporting my mental well-being with this financial assistance,” she said, amid tears of joy. “I can’t wait to return home to give my blind mother the care she needs as I recover.”